1. Born from the Violent Lupercalia Festival
Valentine’s Day has deep ties to Lupercalia, a brutal Roman fertility festival. Celebrated in mid-February, it involved sacrificing animals and whipping women with hides to promote fertility. The customs were a far cry from the modern holiday’s romantic overtones. Learn more about the festival’s grisly details at the History Channel: https://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day/history-of-valentines-day-2
