Today in History: Valentine’s Day
Today in History–February 14–the Library of Congress features St. Valentine’s Day, celebrated yearly by many on this date. Did you know that the romantic emphasis on this holiday may have stemmed from the medieval belief that birds select their mates on February 14. Learn more about this lovely holiday by visiting the Today in History section and then clicking the links below to access some fabulous primary sources.
Valentine’s Day from America’s Library
Primary sources
- St. Valentine’s morning, 1860 wood engraving
- Valentine’s images
- St. Valentine’s Day: a one-act comedy 1892
- The party book; a book giving suggestions for home parties and dances for St. Valentine’s day
- Valentine’s Day historical newspaper coverage
- For Saint Valentine’s day sheet music
- More Valentine sheet music
Teaching with the Library of Congress Valentine blog posts
- How Dandy Was Candy? Exploring Messages in Candy and Chocolate Advertisements February 2, 2016
- Primary Sources for the Primary Grades: Valentine’s Day Primary Sources February 14, 2017
More Library of Congress Valentine blog posts
- Believe Me, Happy Valentine’s Day! Now See Hear! February 12, 2015
- Cockles, Motto Lozenges, and Sweethearts February 11, 2011 Inside Adams
- Commercialization of Valentine’s Day Inside Adams February 12, 2016
- Crafting from the Collections: Sweet Ideas for Valentine’s Day Minerva’s Kaleidoscope February 7, 2021
- Falling In (and Out of) Love at the Law Library In Custodia Legis February 14, 2017
- Feast Your Eyes: Sweets in Store Picture This February 12, 2014
- George Washington: Love Poet From the Catbird Seat February 14, 2012
- Giving your heart away on Valentine’s Day Now See Hear! February 11, 2016
- Happy Valentine’s Day February 14, 2012 Picture This
- Laureate Love on Valentine’s Day From the Catbird Seat February 14, 2017
- Love Songs at the Dawn of the Twentieth Century Folklife Today February 14, 2014
- Love Songs from the Middle East: A Valentine’s Day Celebrated with Poems from the Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, and Turkish Collections 4 Corners of the World March 1, 2017
- In Love and War: The King of Chocolate and St. Valentine’s Day In Custodia Legis February 14, 2014
- Presidential Sweethearts Picture This
- Rare Object of the Month: Unrequited Love for the Ages Library of Congress Blog February 14, 2016
- A Valentine for the Ages: The Biblical “Song of Songs” Library of Congress Blog February 11, 2016
- A Valentine from Ted Kooser From the Catbird Seat February 14, 2018
- Valentine’s Day 2013 February 14, 2013 Picture This
- “Wild to be loved”: The Poetry of President Warren G. Harding From the Catbird Seat February 16, 2015
Related resources
- Love songs from the National Jukebox
- Primary Source Spotlight: Holidays