Episode 30: Valentine’s Day

JoshSeason 22026"Is 'History Repeats Itself' Redundant?"Culture / HolidaysHistory / Politics / SociologyFebruary
Written By Kara Nyhan

A Lovely Little Romp

Part 2 of Our Mini-Series “Is ‘History Repeats Itself’ Redundant?”

Happy Valentine’s Day to all who celebrate! This holiday of love has ancient origins from Rome and Catholicism. It has become a saturated business market and an important day for restaurants, flower shops, bakeries and more. Join us as we explore the roots of this holiday and the myths, saints, and female entrepreneurs that have shaped it!

Discussion Includes:

  • Lupercalia and Ancient Rome

  • Various Myths and Origins

  • Saint Valentine(s) & Feast Days

  • Chaucer

  • Esther Howland

©Wolf & Stag Productions LLC, 2026

Images:

All Images Are Used For Commentary, Analysis, and Education Purposes under the Fair Use Act

References:

  • Barney, Stephen A.; Lewis, W. J.; Beach, J. A.; Berghof, Oliver, eds. (2006). The Etymologies of Isidore of Seville. Translated by Barney, Stephen A.; Lewis, W. J.; Beach, J. A. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. doi:10.1017/cbo9780511482113. ISBN 978-0-521-83749-1 

  • Pope st. gelasius I. CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Pope St. Gelasius I. (n.d.). https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06406a.htm 

  • Fabian, S. (2023, February 9). The unruly history of St. Valentine’s day. St. John Vianney Lay Division. https://sjvlaydivision.org/the-unruly-history-of-st-valentines-day/ 

  • Theodosius I | biography, accomplishments, coin, & facts | britannica. (n.d.). https://www.britannica.com/biography/Theodosius-I 

  • Gratian | Reign of Valentinian, Theodosius & Valentinian II | Britannica. (n.d.-a). https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gratian-Roman-emperor 

  • Rome’s conversion to Christianity and its lasting legacy. Rome’s Conversion to Christianity and its Lasting Legacy | Rhodes Sites. (n.d.). https://sites.rhodes.edu/coins/romes-conversion-christianity-and-its-lasting-legacy 

  • A Latin Dictionary. Charlton T. Lewis, Charles Short, A Latin Dictionary. (n.d.). https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0059%3Aentry 

  • Ancient rome - foundation myth, romulus & remus | britannica. (n.d.-a). https://www.britannica.com/place/ancient-Rome/Romes-foundation-myth 

  • By Wilfredor, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=145564917

  • By Andrea Camassei - https://www.museodelprado.es/en/the-collection/art-work/lupercalia/374c5c7a-7700-45e4-8d69-93580def2de1, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27337766

  • A&E Television Networks. (2025, March 2). Rome founded | April 21, 753 B.C. History.com. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/april-21/rome-founded 

  • Wigington, P. (2019, November 13). Celebrating the pagan festival of februalia. Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/the-roman-februalia-festival-2562114 

  • A&E Television Networks. (2026, January 16). Lupercalia: The roman festival’s meaning and rituals. History.com. https://www.history.com/articles/lupercalia 

  • Lupercalia | description, meaning, traditions, date, & facts | britannica. (n.d.-c). https://www.britannica.com/topic/Lupercalia 

  • The lupercalia. Lupercalia. (n.d.). https://penelope.uchicago.edu/encyclopaedia_romana/calendar/lupercalia.html 

  • Why the origins of Valentine’s day were not about love. Culture. (n.d.). https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/saint-st-valentines-day 

  • Valentine’s Day origin. Western Oregon University. (n.d.). https://wou.edu/westernhowl/valentines-day-origin/ 

  • O’Malley, C. (2022, January 29). The origins of Valentine’s day. The Origins of Valentine’s Day -. https://medfieldhistoricalsociety.org/the-origins-of-valentines-day/ 

  • A&E Television Networks. (2026b, February 6). Valentine’s Day 2026: Origins & Holiday traditions. History.com. https://www.history.com/articles/history-of-valentines-day 

  • Seipel, A. (2022, February 14). The dark origins of valentine’s day. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2011/02/14/133693152/the-dark-origins-of-valentines-day 

  • By Matija Bradaška - http://www.mks-sticna.si/slo/raziskuj/razstave/zbirke/slike, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=142917584

  • Esther Howland 1847. Mount Holyoke College. (n.d.). https://www.mtholyoke.edu/directory/alum/esther-howland 

  • Shoichet, C. E. (2024, February 14). This “visionary” woman changed the way many Americans celebrate Valentine’s Day. CNN. https://edition.cnn.com/2024/02/13/style/esther-howland-valentines-card-history-cec 

  • By Esther Howland - Mount Holyoke College Archives and Special Collections, South Hadley, MA, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29157198

  • By esther howland - http://www.americanantiquarian.org/, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=53141337

  • By esther howland - http://www.americanantiquarian.org/, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=53141340

  • The heart: A love story. Columbia Surgery. (n.d.). https://columbiasurgery.org/news/heart-love-story 

  • Oruch, J. B. (1981). St. Valentine, Chaucer, and Spring in February. Speculum, 56(3), 534–565. https://doi.org/10.2307/2847741

  • By Geuiwogbil at the English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1455678

Kara Nyhan

I am a graphic designer, film producing & director, and small business entrepreneur. My work focus is on creative and arts organizations and individuals, helping to create graphics, marketing materials, branding, and websites that fit their needs. I have a B.A. in Graphic Design and a M.B.A with a focus in entrepreneurship. Currently, I do business as Lore Art & Design.

https://www.lore-art-design.com
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