Prison, Martyrdom & Frat Boys: The Murky History of Valentine's Day
Valentine’s Day wasn’t always about roses and chocolate. From ancient frat bro fertility rituals, to the invention of the modern day postal system, and a surprising amount of jail time, we're kicking off season 2 by exploring the surprisingly complicated origins of Valentine's Day. ✨ Follow us:TikTok: @historyforhotgirlsInstagram: @historyforhotgirlspodcastYouTube: history for hot girlsSpotify: History for Hot Girls PodcastBibliography:BBC News (2025) What is Galentine’s Day and who celebrates it? By E. Griffiths, 14 February. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk Brighton & Hove Museums (n.d.) Love letters and hate mail: Victorian vinegar valentines. Available at: https://brightonmuseums.org.uk/discovery/history-stories/love-letters-and-hate-mail-victorian-vinegar-valentines-2/ Forbes (2024) Brennan, B. Galentine’s Day and women consumers: cheers to the celebration economy, 9 February. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/bridgetbrennan/2024/02/09/galentines-day-and-women-consumers-cheers-to-the-celebration-economy/Forbes (2025) Hardcastle, K. Beyond the bouquet: how Valentine’s Day spending continues to evolve, 1 February. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/katehardcastle/2025/02/01/beyond-the-bouquet-how-valentines-day-spending-continues-to-evolve/Strohm, Paul (2015) Who was Chaucer? 24 January. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/jan/24/who-was-chaucer-canterbury-tales Harford, T. (2021) The stamp at the bottom of the pyramid. Available at: https://timharford.com/2021/08/the-stamp-at-the-bottom-of-the-pyramid/ (History.com (n.d.) History of Valentine’s Day. Available at: https://www.history.com/articles/history-of-valentines-day History.com (n.d.) Valentine’s Day. Available at: https://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day History Extra (n.d.) Valentine’s Day history: Saint Valentine and the real story. Available at: https://www.historyextra.com/period/roman/valentine-day-history-saint-who-real-story-cured/ Lau, P.H. (2012) [PDF document], 17 February. Available at: https://indyaat.org/pdf/-17thFeb12 National Retail Federation (n.d.) NRF survey: Valentine’s Day spending reaches record $27.5 billion. Available at: https://nrf.com/media-center/press-releases/nrf-survey-valentine-s-day-spending-reaches-record-27-5-billion Shimu, F. (2024) Galentine’s Day: a celebration of the most unconditional love I’ve ever known, 12 February. The Medium. Available at: https://themedium.ca/galentines-day-a-celebration-of-the-most-unconditional-love-ive-ever-known/ Betwixt the Sheets (n.d.) Lupercalia and Valentine’s Day [Podcast episode]. Available on major podcast platforms The Rest Is History (n.d.) Valentine’s Day [Podcast episode]. Available on major podcast platforms365 Retail (2025) Google reveals key Valentine’s Day trends for 2025. Available at: https://365retail.co.uk/google-reveals-key-valentines-day-trends-for-2025/
