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Valentine’s Day is celebrated by Canadians every year on Feb. 14. It is recognized as a day that honours love, romance, and affection. But where does this custom originate from, and how long has it become associated with greetings and gift giving?
Who was Saint Valentine?
According to the Catholic Church, the story of the Roman priest Valentine dates back to around 270AD, during the persecutions of the Emperor Claudius Gothicus. Valentine ministered to persecuted Christians, and he was ultimately imprisoned himself and executed.
When did Saint Valentine become associated with love?
One of the reasons Saint Valentine was executed was because he was performing marriages for young men, which has been banned by the Emperor. While Feb. 14 has been observed as Valentine’s Day since at least the eighth century, it wasn’t until the Middle Ages it became associated with romantic love, especially in England and France. In 1382, Geoffrey Chaucer wrote a poem linking Valentine’s Day with courtly love, and around this time, people began exchanging handwritten love notes.
When did Valentine’s Day become celebrated like it is today?
Exchanging of Valentine’s Day notes became widespread in Europe by the end of the 1700s and such cards began to be mass produced in the United States in the 1800s. Today, Valentine’s Day is a global industry involving flowers, chocolates, jewelry, and greeting cards. A 2026 survey found Canadians between the ages of 18 and 34 plan to spend more than $200 celebrating the day.
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Photo Credit: ID 84601725 © Igor Mojzes | Dreamstime.com
