The History (or Histories) of Valentine's Day

A 1961 composite illustrating traditional
Saint Valentine's Day.
Illustration: Library of Congress.

In the February 2013 issue of the Marina Times in San Francisco, I investigate the history of the February 14th holiday.

EDITOR'S NOTE | BACK STORY
The Stories Behind St. Valentine's Day
By John Zipperer 

Hearts, cupids, boxed chocolates, and mailboxes stuffed with greeting cards are all signs that we’re approaching Feb. 14 or, more formally, St. Valentine’s Day. Americans will purchase 145 million valentine’s cards this year, the Greeting Card Association estimates, and we can add to that an uncounted number of electronic greeting cards. 

The holiday brings to mind childhood viewings of Charlie Brown’s V-day travails, and probably a mixture of ...

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