90-Minute Lesson Plan on Valentine's Day

How did St. Valentine become associated with love and romance? Get the full story behind the holiday.

Whether you love Valentine's Day or hate it, one thing is clear: The holiday goes way back. And while it's now known for kissing, Valentine's Day gifts, and hard-to-get dinner reservations, the origins of the holiday are far less romantic. Many people believe he’s celebrated for his role as a Roman priest who helped couples secretly get married. Valentine’s Day did not come to be celebrated as a day of romance until about the 14th century. Today, we celebrate it on the 14th of February.

This 90-minute lesson will teach young children the real history behind the globally celebrated Valentine's Day. It is based on the YouTube video 'Bet You Didn't Know: Valentine's Day | History' by the acclaimed History channel. There are plenty of activities and their answers are provided at the end.