Interview: What’s the History Behind Valentine’s Day?

Lisa Anderson’s Boundless Show. Image: Boundless

Interview: What’s the History behind Valentine’s Day?

Lisa Anderson’ recently interviewed me on her Boundless podcast/radio show. She asked me several questions about the history behind St. Valentine, the customs we practice, and how it relates to single people.

I had an unexpected answer about what to do if you don’t have a date. My answers surprised her, and at the end of the show, she surprised me with a question I wasn’t expecting.

Here’s the blurb on the podcast:

“Culture: Will the Real St. Valentine Please Stand Up?

Where did the Valentine’s Day traditions of flowers, romantic cards and heart-shaped candies come from? It started with St. Valentine, a real person with a fascinating story. To help separate truth from legend, historian Bill Petro shares facts, fiction and legacy around the Roman priest and the holiday that shares his name.”

Interview

Note: because this is part of a collection of three interviews, mine is the second one and starts after the music at the time mark 26:30 and goes to 49:40.

Clicking on the link below may take you to that spot. If not, move the slider to the 26:30 mark:

Bill Petro, your friendly neighborhood historian
billpetro.com