History of Valentine's Day in Timeline
Valentine's Day, observed annually on February 14th, began as a Christian feast honoring a martyr named Valentine. Over time, it has evolved into a widely recognized cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of love and romance. Celebrated globally, the day is associated with expressions of affection, gift-giving, and romantic gestures. The holiday's roots are religious, but it is now largely recognized as a secular holiday celebrating relationships, friendships, and love in various forms. Its modern iteration is heavily influenced by commercial interests, with businesses capitalizing on the holiday through themed products and promotions.
1904: Death of Esther Howland
Esther Howland, who began the mass production of Valentines in the United States, died in 1904.
1936: Morozoff Ltd. Introduces Valentine's Day in Japan
In 1936, Morozoff Ltd. introduced Valentine's Day in Japan with an advertisement aimed at foreigners.
1948: Valentine's Day introduced in Spain
In 1948, Valentine's Day was first introduced in Spain through an advertisement campaign by the department store chain Galerías Preciados.
1953: Promotion of Heart-Shaped Chocolates in Japan
In 1953, Morozoff Ltd. began promoting the giving of heart-shaped chocolates for Valentine's Day in Japan.
1958: Isetan Department Store Valentine Sale
In 1958, the Isetan department store in Japan ran a "Valentine sale".
1960: Traditionalist Catholics follow pre-Second Vatican Council calendar
In 1960, the feast day is still celebrated throughout the world by Traditionalist Catholics who follow the older, pre-Second Vatican Council calendar.
1992: Valentine's Day Catches On in India
Around 1992, Valentine's Day celebrations began to catch on in India, spurred by commercial TV, dedicated radio programs, and economic liberalization.
1993: First Valentine's Day Celebration in Bangladesh
Valentine's Day was first celebrated in Bangladesh in 1993 by Shafik Rehman, who introduced it through his newspaper Jaijaidin.
1995: Sense and Sensibility Film Adaptation
In 1995, the film adaptation of Sense and Sensibility featured the line that would later be voted as the most romantic line in 2016.
1996: Victorian Valentines Book
In 1996, the Laura Seddon Greeting Card Collection at Manchester Metropolitan University gathers 450 Valentine's Day cards dating from early 19th century Britain, printed by the major publishers of the day, compiled in Seddon's book Victorian Valentines.
2001: Inaugural Esther Howland Award
Since 2001, the Greeting Card Association has been giving an annual "Esther Howland Award for a Greeting Card Visionary".
2002: Valentine's Day Items Banned in Saudi Arabia
In 2002, religious police in Saudi Arabia banned the sale of all Valentine's Day items.
2002: First Public Celebration in Poland
In 2002, the only public celebration in Poland was held annually in Chełmno under the name "Walentynki Chełmińskie" (Chełmno Valentine's).
2005: Fatwa Against Valentine's Day in Malaysia
In 2005, a fatwa was issued by top clerics in Malaysia noting that Valentine's Day "is associated with elements of Christianity."
2008: Valentine's Day Items Banned in Saudi Arabia
In 2008, religious police in Saudi Arabia banned the sale of all Valentine's Day items.
2009: Valentine's Day Banned in Iran
Since 2009, certain Valentine's Day practices, like giving flowers and cards, have been banned in Iran, with the Law Enforcement Force prosecuting distributors.
2010: Valentine's Day Expenditure
In 2010, over $108 per person was spent on Valentine's day.
February 14, 2011: "Awas Jerat Valentine's Day" Campaign
On February 14, 2011, Jakim officials planned to carry out a nationwide campaign called "Awas Jerat Valentine's Day" ("Mind the Valentine's Day Trap"), aimed at preventing Muslims from celebrating the day.
2011: Arrests for Celebrating Valentine's Day in Malaysia
In 2011, West Malaysian religious authorities arrested more than 100 Muslim couples for celebrating Valentine's Day.
2011: Restrictions on Valentine's Day in Iran
Since 2011, authorities have attempted to discourage celebrations and impose restrictions on the sale and production of Valentine's Day-related goods in Iran.
February 2012: Bajrang Dal Warns Couples
In February 2012, Subash Chouhan of the Bajrang Dal warned couples against public displays of affection on Valentine's Day, threatening violence.
2012: Arrests for Celebrating Valentine's Day in Saudi Arabia
In 2012, religious police in Saudi Arabia arrested more than 140 Muslims for celebrating Valentine's Day.
2015: Valentine's Day Spending in the UK
In 2015, around £1.9 billion was spent in the UK on Valentine's Day cards, flowers, chocolates, and other gifts.
2016: Unsuccessful Revival of Sepandārmazgān
As of 2016, efforts to revive the ancient Persian festival of Sepandārmazgān to replace Valentine's Day have been largely unsuccessful.
2016: Most Romantic Line Voted
In 2016, Jane Austen's line, "My heart is, and always will be, yours" from Sense and Sensibility was voted the most romantic line from literature, film, and TV.
2016: Valentine's Day in Sweden
In 2016, a survey in Sweden revealed that fewer than 50% of men and women were planning to buy presents for their partners on Valentine's Day.
2016: Novena prayer established
In 2016, the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales established a novena prayer "to support single people seeking a spouse ahead of St Valentine's Day."
2016: Valentine's Day Banned in Peshawar and Kohat
In 2016, the local governing body of Peshwar officially banned the celebration of Valentine's Day in the city, with the ban also implemented in other cities such as Kohat.
2017: Failed Rebranding Attempt as Cow Hug Day
In 2017, authorities advanced the idea to rebrand Valentine's Day as "Cow Hug Day", but the move failed and was later retracted after it prompted internet memes, cartoons and jokes about the importance of consent.
2017: Valentine's Day Banned in Public Places in Pakistan
In 2017, the Islamabad High Court banned Valentine's Day celebrations in public places in Pakistan.
2017: Religious Police Allow Celebrations
In 2017, the religious police in Saudi Arabia did not prevent Muslims from celebrating Valentine's Day.
2017: Valentine's Day Expenditure Peaks
In 2017, total expenditure for Valentine's Day topped $18.2 billion, or over $136 per person.
2018: Valentine's Day Remains Popular in Iran
Despite restrictions, Valentine's Day remained popular in Iran as of 2018.
2018: Valentine's Day Deemed Compatible with Islamic Values
In 2018, Sheikh Ahmed Qasim Al-Ghamdi, a Saudi cleric, said that Valentine's Day is not haram and is compatible with Islamic values.
2018: Valentine's Day Unpopularity in India
In 2018, an online survey found that 68% of respondents in India did not wish to celebrate Valentine's Day, with religious groups also expressing opposition.
2018: Restrictions on Media Coverage of Valentine's Day in Pakistan
In 2018, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority advised broadcasters and newspapers against airing any Valentine's Day celebrations.
2019: Decline in Valentine's Day Celebrations
In 2019, a survey by the National Retail Federation found that the percentage of people who celebrate Valentine's Day had declined steadily over the previous decade due to over-commercialization, not having a spouse, and lack of interest.
2021: Prosecution of Anti-Cultural Symbols in Iran
In 2021, the Prosecutor's Office of Qom, Iran, stated that it would prosecute those who disseminate and provide anti-cultural symbols like those of Valentine's Day.
February 2023: Cow Hug Day Appeal in India
In February 2023, the Animal Welfare Board of India appealed to Indians to celebrate February 14 as "Cow Hug Day" for "emotional richness" and to increase "individual and collective happiness."
