A brief history of Valentine's Day

OMAHA, Neb. (KPTM) — Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14, and it's origin comes from a Christian saint's feast day, according to nationaldaycalendar.com.

The feast day celebrated is of St. Valentine who purposefully went against the orders of Emperor Claudius II.

The Emperor made a decry that marriage would be outlawed for young men because single men made better soldiers.

St. Valentine or also known as Valentinus secretly married young couples.

Eventually what Valentine was doing was found out, and he was beheaded for his actions.

Valentine's Day became known as a day for romance in the Middle Ages when courting was gaining popularity.

Eventually, the Victorian era England would turn the holiday into what it is now.

People would celebrate their lovers with cards and flowers which has turned the day into one of the busiest days of the year for florists.

The day tends to focus on romantic lovers, but some friends have celebrated their brotherly love with Galentine's Day or other Anti-Valentine's Day celebrations.

How to celebrate this lovely holiday:

• Surprise your significant other with a gift, chocolate, flowers, ETC.
• Dance in the living room together
• Have breakfast in bed
• Go on a scavenger hunt
• Enjoy a picnic
• Have a night in
• Go out for dinner
• Have a movie night
• Write a letter or a poem to express your love
• Use #ValentinesDay2022 on social media to share how you celebrated

Pope Gelasius around the year 496 declared February 14 as St. Valentine's Day to separate the church from the Roman's fertility celebration known as Lupercalia which is celebrated on the 15th of February, said the website.