Valentine's Day 2024: Know Valentine's Day history, significance and why we celebrate the day of love on February 14 (2024)

Happy Valentine's Day 2024: Valentine's Day falls annually on February 14. The celebrations for the day of love begin a week before, starting with Rose Day and ending with Kiss Day. The seven days of Valentine's Week are Rose Day (February 7), Propose Day (February 8), Chocolate Day (February 9), Teddy Day (February 10), Promise Day (February 11), Hug Day (February 12), and Kiss Day (February 13).

Valentine's Day 2024: Know Valentine's Day history, significance and why we celebrate the day of love on February 14 (1)

(Also Read | Happy Valentine's Day 2024: Wishes, images, quotes, SMS, WhatsApp and Facebook status to show your love on February 14)

While each of these days holds much significance, Valentine's Day is for lovers to celebrate the unbreakable bond, the romantic moments, and the precious feelings they have for each other. Couples celebrate this special day by enjoying each other's company, going on dinner dates, planning surprises, preparing romantic gifts, and more. So, if you want to learn more about Valentine's Day, scroll through to read about its history, significance and why celebrate it on February 14. (Also read | Valentine's Day 2024 live: Heartfelt wishes and images to share with your parents and children)

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Valentine's Day 2024 Date and History:

The are many origins to Valentine's Day. However, the most popular legend says that Valentine's Day originated from the Roman festival of Lupercalia, held in mid-February. It was celebrated during the onset of spring, wherein women were paired with men through a lottery. It was Pope Gelasius I who replaced this festival with St Valentine's Day. It was celebrated as the day of romance for over a period of time from about the 14th century.

Another legend says that St Valentine was executed on February 14 as a punishment for performing secret marriages to save the husbands from going to war, as they were banned by Roman emperor Claudius II.

According to Roman mythology, Cupid, the angel of love, is the son of Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, and the bow and arrow of Cupid depict piercing a heart and casting the spell of love. Cupid is also a popular symbol for Valentine's Day. Therefore, this festival is all about celebrating the feeling of being in love.

Why do we celebrate Valentine's Day on February 14?

Valentine's Day was not celebrated as the day of romance until the 14th century. The 8th-century Gelasian Sacramentary recorded the celebration of the Feast of Saint Valentine on February 14. However, in the 14th and 15th centuries, it became associated with love when notions of courtly love flourished with the association of "lovebirds" of early spring.

Valentine's Day 2024 Celebrations:

Popular culture dictates that couples celebrate Valentine's Day. And there's nothing wrong with it. However, you can also spend it with the people who mean a lot to you and love you. They can be your parents, kids, or friends. If you are celebrating Valentine's Day with your partner, a romantic gesture goes a long way. Take them out to dinner at their favourite restaurant or cook their favourite cuisine for a romantic candlelight dinner date at home, prepare handmade gifts for them, buy jewellery pieces or a watch, go on trips, book hobby classes to build memories, and more.

However, if you plan to spend Valentine's Day with your parents, kids, or friends, prepare a day filled with fun activities. With your parents, you can help them finish off their chores, help them spruce up their garden, or reminisce about your childhood. If you spend the day with kids, plan activities like hiking, cycling, painting, and more. Lastly, Valentine's Day with friends can be super fun. You can plan movie nights, binge-watch your favourite series, make co*cktails at home, and plan themed parties.

News / Lifestyle / Festivals / Valentine's Day 2024: Know Valentine's Day history, significance and why we celebrate the day of love on February 14

Valentine's Day 2024: Know Valentine's Day history, significance and why we celebrate the day of love on February 14 (2024)

FAQs

Valentine's Day 2024: Know Valentine's Day history, significance and why we celebrate the day of love on February 14? ›

It was celebrated as the day of romance for over a period of time from about the 14th century. Another legend says that St Valentine was executed on February 14 as a punishment for performing secret marriages to save the husbands from going to war, as they were banned by Roman emperor Claudius II.

What is the significance of Valentine's day on February 14? ›

The 8th-century Gelasian Sacramentary recorded the celebration of the Feast of Saint Valentine on February 14. The day became associated with romantic love in the 14th and 15th centuries, when notions of courtly love flourished, apparently by association with the "lovebirds" of early spring.

What is the special of February 14 2024? ›

Valentine's Day, celebrated on February 14th, is a special occasion dedicated to expressing love and affection to those closest to our hearts.

What is the true history of Valentine's day and why we celebrate it? ›

Valentine's Day did not come to be celebrated as a day of romance until about the 14th century. Although there were several Christian martyrs named Valentine, the day may have taken its name from a priest who was martyred about 270 ce by the emperor Claudius II Gothicus.

What happened on the 14th of February? ›

1912 – Arizona is admitted as the 48th and the last contiguous U.S. state. 1912 – The U.S. Navy commissions its first class of diesel-powered submarines. 1918 – Russia adopts the Gregorian calendar. 1919 – The Polish–Soviet War begins.

What does February 14 represent? ›

St Valentine's Day is an annual festival to celebrate romantic love, friendship and admiration. Every year on 14 February people celebrate this day by sending messages of love and affection to partners, family and friends.

Why is it important to celebrate Valentine's day? ›

Even though we cherish the love we have for each other throughout the year, Valentine's Day has become a significant day we put aside to appreciate the special someone in our life. It's the time we show our unconditional love for our partners with gifts they can treasure forever.

What is happening on February 14, 2024? ›

It's Valentine's Day, Quirkyalone Day, National Library Lover's Day, International Book Giving Day, National Ferris Wheel Day… and much more!

What holiday is on February 14 2024? ›

Valentine's Day: February 14, 2024.

What is April 14th 2024? ›

National days on Sun Apr 14th, 2024

Explore worldwide events, festivals, funny, weird, and national days on this day! It's National Ex Spouse Day, Good Deeds Day, World Chagas Disease Day, National Gardening Day, National Dolphin Day… and much more!

What is the dark history behind Valentine's day? ›

One Valentine was a priest in third-century Rome who defied Emperor Claudius II after the ruler outlawed marriage for young men. St. Valentine would perform marriages in secret for young lovers, ultimately leading to his death.

What does the Bible say about Valentine's day? ›

1 John 4:7-12. Dear friends: let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

What is the spiritual meaning of Valentine's day? ›

While the holiday has undergone secularization over time, its origins in Christian martyrdom and acts of love align with broader spiritual themes of compassion, selflessness, and devotion. For some, Valentine's Day serves as a reminder of the importance of love in both human relationships and spiritual practice.

Why was February 14th chosen as the date to celebrate Valentine's day? ›

Centuries later it's said that he was elevated to the altars which drove Pope Gelasio I in the year 494 to declare the 14th of February, on the day of his torture, the official day of Saint Valentine.

What is the real story of 14 February? ›

As far as anyone can tell, the Saint Valentine of Valentine's Day was one of two guys preaching the good word in Rome in the third century. One of these two was martyred on February 14th 269, thus giving us the date for his eponymous day.

What disaster happened on Feb 14? ›

In the afternoon of February 14, 2019, a Jaish-e-Muhammad terrorist rammed an explosives-laden car into a convoy of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) at Lethpora, a village in Pulwama, on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway. The attack targeted two buses in the convoy, and killed 40 personnel.

Who decided February 14th is Valentine's day? ›

At the end of the 5th century, Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine's Day, and since then, February 14th has been a day of celebration—though it was generally more religious than romantic.

What is the secret behind Valentine's day? ›

Some believe Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14 because that is when Saint Valentine was killed or buried. Others claim the date has to do with the ancient Roman feast of Lupercalia, which was a days-long celebration that would start on February 13 and end on February 15.

What is the dark history of Valentine's day? ›

One Valentine was a priest in third-century Rome who defied Emperor Claudius II after the ruler outlawed marriage for young men. St. Valentine would perform marriages in secret for young lovers, ultimately leading to his death.

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