Valentine's Day Timeline

2000s

Modern Valentine’s Day Celebrations

Celebrations and tokens of affection are becoming more and more elaborate — engagements, luxurious holidays and cars are not uncommon.

1800s

Holiday of Love Commercialised

The beginning of mass-produced Valentine’s Day cards, these regularly pictured Cupid, the Roman God of Love, and birds as it was believed mid-February was when their mating season began.

1400s

The First Valentine’s Day Card

Letters and messages were all personally handmade and shared amongst high society declaring their love intentions, these would be written on special decorative Valentine’s Day paper.

500s

Catholicism Replaces Lupercalia

The first Valentine’s Day – replacing the Lupercalia festival, celebrated on February 15, by Pope Gelasius I, to honor many early martyrs named Valentine.