Student Author: Jacob E.
Valentine's Day actually started around 270 A.D. It originated as a pagan festival named Lupercalia. The Pagan’s celebrated this day as a festival of fertility. The Catholic Church named it Valentine’s Day in an effort to christianize the celebrated day; it was in honor of St. Valentine.
In addition to the U.S., Canada, Mexico, France, Australia, and the U.K. all celebrate Valentine’s Day. Now a days, it is estimated that 1 billion Valentine cards are purchased and given each year. This makes it the second largest card-giving holiday in the U.S. (Christmas being 1st)!