Valentine's Day

Relics of St. Valentine of Terni at the basilica of Saint Mary in Cosmedin.

The ‘real’ St. Valentine was no patron of love

Culture

Valentine’s Day originated as a liturgical feast to celebrate the decapitation of a third-century Christian martyr, or perhaps two. So, how did we get from beheading to betrothing on Valentine’s Day?

Vehicles are seen on a street in Baghdad as the Iraqi government lifted a night-time curfew.  Officials hope to demonstrate that Baghdad no longer faces a threat from Islamic State.

Baghdad residents can stay out late and go big on Valentine’s Day

Lifestyle
Rational Valentine - Settle

Want to send a ‘rational’ valentine to that special, pragmatic someone?

Lifestyle & Belief

A St. Valentine’s Day Note

Conflict & Justice

Love and the Peace Corps

Global Politics

The Science of Flowers and Candy

Just in time for St. Valentine’s Day, Steve Curwood interviews German ethnobotanist Christian Rätsch about his new book called: Plants of Love: The History of Aphrodisiacs and a Guide to their Identification and Use. Dr. Rätsch’s volume details the historical and often successful search for substances that can enhance sexual pleasure and provoke both love […]

Valentine’s Day “Flours”

Wendy Gordon of the organization Mothers and Others for a Livable Planet chats with Steve Curwood about the group’s Valentine’s Day suggested gift alternative to typical long stem red rose “flowers”, of organic “flour”. The advocacy group hopes to draw attention to the idea of organic foods as loving items worthy of exchange.

The Biology of Love

Just in time for St. Valentine’s Day, Steve Curwood interviews German ethnobotanist Christian Rätsch about his new book called “Plants of Love: The History of Aphrodisiacs and a Guide to their Identification and Use.” Dr. Rätsch’s volume details the historical and often successful search for substances that can enhance sexual pleasure and provoke both love […]

The Living on Earth Almanac

This week, facts about the origin and folklore surrounding St. Valentine’s day.

The World

Unchain My Heart

Arts, Culture & Media

Our redesign of Valentine’s Day moves full steam ahead. We hear from the husband-wife team who run the Austin design firm, Under Consideration. Armin Vit and Bryony Gomez-Palacio work to upgrade this fraught holiday. Studio 360 commissioned them, but they consider their client “all of mankind.”