Why Valentine’s Day is Celebrated on February 14?

I always wondered why Valentine Day is celebrated? Hope you always wondered about the same. After digging a lot on Quora and history.com. Here is what I found. St. Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition.

Don’t have time to read? Just watch the following video.

Who is Valentine?

St. Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

Why February 14?

While some believe that Valentine’s Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine’s death or burial–which probably occurred around A.D. 270. While others believe Lupercalia was a fertility festival dedicated to God of Agriculture in Rome. It was outlawed over Christianity rise. Hence Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine’s Day.

In France and England, February 14 was the beginning of birds’ mating season, which added to the idea that the middle of Valentine’s Day should be a day for romance.

As you know why it is celebrated. Now you can decide to go ahead with Valentine’s Day to celebrate it or not. It is wise to know why something is done before following some ritual. Anyways Happy Valentine’s Day!