The History of Valentine’s Day has a mushy feel.
It’s been linked to a 12th-century poem about birds mating, the Christian-martyr-turned-Saint Valentine and a deadly fertility ritual in ancient Rome, but Elizabeth Nelson, an associate professor of history at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, thinks that’s all a stretch.
Nelson stated, “We want to know the origin.” We don’t think this is just another Hallmark holiday.
It was not.
What is the origin of modern Valentine’s Day?
Nelson explained that the origins of Valentine’s Day in America are rooted in England.
Samuel Pepys was an English politician and businessman who wrote about Valentine’s Day during the 15th century. This is an excerpt from Pepys’ diary.
“I went up and gave Mrs. Martha as my Valentine, which I only do out of complacency. Sir W. Batten did the same thing to my wife. We were all very merry.”
Nelson said, “Those diaries get entered into history as proof of its ancient origin.”
Nelson noted that it was interesting that married couples would have valentines that weren’t their spouses. It seems more like a ritual of friendship than a romantic holiday that can make or break a relationship.
In America, the interest in and the holiday has continued to grow as a form of belonging.
She said, “As Americans we are torn because we insist that we are not English anymore due to the American Revolution but we love all things English.”
Valentine’s Day is celebrated in the U.S.
Valentine’s Day was celebrated in the 18th century.
Nelson: “We have some beautiful examples of handmade Valentines, especially from the Pennsylvania Dutch Country,” Nelson said. “Sort puzzle valentines like when you unfold and unpack.”
Nelson says the holiday began in its current form when stationers started printing early in the 19th century.
Nelson explained that “Esther Howland creates Valentines which are kind of layers lace paper, little printed images, and all sorts of beautiful 3D effects. These were very popular after 1850.”
According to Mount Holyoke College where Howland attended college in the 1840s, she is known as “mother of American Valentine.”
Nelson said, “She made these Valentines in her family’s parlor. She hired local girls to assist her and sent them out with her traveling brothers, who were salesmen.”
Holland had built an impressive business by the 1870s. However, when her father fell ill, she sold it on to George Whitney, a successful entrepreneur.
Nelson: “She defined the aesthetics of Victorian Valentines,” Nelson said.
Valentine’s Day was also a controversial holiday in the 19th century, with many people hating it.
Nelson explained that “one of the things which complicates what you feel is if the valentine is anonymous, as this became a tradition in the 19th Century.” If you know the person who sent you the valentine, you may feel one way. You might feel something else if you don’t recognize the sender.
This is especially true if anonymous messages are bad.
Nelson explained that “people start making and sending what they call ‘vinegar Valentines’ or cruel Valentines, which are little poems saying mean things about other people.” They are often printed very cheaply. They’ll be the crudest engravings with a poem that makes fun of character flaws.
What will Americans be doing on Valentine’s Day 2025?
Although crude and clever valentines continue to be used, romance and friendship are still prevalent on Valentine’s Day.
Vanna Black is an Atlanta-based artist who celebrates Valentine’s Day with reflection and celebration.
Black stated that “especially in today’s times, with what we are dealing with in American society I believe spreading this kind of love will be very meaningful and bring community together.”
Black’s mission is grave. She grieves for her mother who died in 1999 on this day.
Black explained, “It was very hard for me to process my grief at this time.” “My mother, she was very supportive of my art.”
Black’s art was on display at Boggs Supply & Social in southwest Atlanta as part of a Valentine’s Day pop up. Vendors included a sculptor and a florist, as well as a woman who sold jewelry, including animal bones made into pendants and other gory items reminiscent of Victorian carnivalesque elements.
Boggs was a great place for Black to create her pieces. It is a blank slate that community artists can fill with their own creativity. Her vibrant cards and posters carried her refreshing messages such as, “We have eternal love” and “Celebrating You.” One design stated, “You’re the prettiest of all flowers.”
Black explained, “I wanted to honor her that way.” “I had figure out a way to make it positive instead of negative.”
Valentine’s Day inspires a “Galentine’s Day”.
Around Valentine’s Day “Galentines”, groups of single women and men, spend some time together and celebrate the platonic love they share. They take their inspiration from a sitcom episode “Parks and Recreation” and do this on February 13.
Businesses are taking note of this trend and catering to those that want to participate in a real life version of the celebration.
This year, jewelry designer Malik Waseem Shuler of Urbane Jewelry Studio is leading a Galentine’s jewelry-making happy hour at Atlanta’s “Kitty Dare” Mediterranean-inspired restaurant that will incorporate crystals.
Schuler stated, “It is the start of a crazy new year.” “I believe that many people could use a little positive energy.”
Shuler is urging people to cherish and nurture all types of relationships this Valentine’s Day, a sentiment which has grown in popularity.
Shuler stated that “our friends can be in our lives for longer than our romantic partners.” “So, I will be leading the workshop to help people put intentionality behind the crystals and unique pieces they are making.
“I will be bringing a lot of rose quartz in order to attract love. I have garnet and some obsidian for protection from negative energies. Shuler stated that amethyst is known to bring tranquility and peace into the room.
Valentine’s Day is still a celebration of friendship and romance. Even if it seems to favor over other love languages at the moment, this holiday continues to bring Americans together.
Vanna said, “There is the commercial Valentine’s Day side and then there’s the humanistic Valentine’s Day side where love is always 365 days a year.” It doesn’t end. It doesn’t stop. Love is always growing. “Love is eternal.”
