Today, popcorn and the movies are so inextricably linked that it’s hard to imagine a time when the buttery, salty snack wasn’t served at a concession stand in the lobby. But that was actually the case for the first few decades of the movie theater business.

Valentine’s Day is a day for flowers, cards and chocolate, but the history of the lover’s holiday may be much darker. Valentine’s Day is a day for flowers, cards and chocolate, but the history of the lover’s holiday may be much darker.

The Valentine’s Day we recognize today started around the late 18th century. The tradition had solidified in England and spread to the United States, with people writing poetry and hand-making cards, according to Elizabeth White Nelson, a University of Nevada, Las Vegas history professor.

The holiday's roots stretch back centuries, long before commercial greeting cards existed.

The New Testament of the Bible mentions saints around 100 times, depending on the version you’re reading. However, the term typically refers to Christians or the church, rather than a specific saint, according to the online Christian resource Got Questions Ministries. Although this might be why the namesake of St. Valentine’s Day is not mentioned in the Bible, the religious ties to the February holiday are even more complicated.

Although St. Valentine lends his name to Valentine’s Day, he did not become known as the patron saint of lovers until hundreds of years after his death. The third-century priest lived during a time when Christians were persecuted for their religious beliefs. Records and historic liturgical calendars indicate he was martyred, though what exactly led to his murder is a bit murky.

Much like the origins of Valentine’s Day, the real identity of St. Valentine remains a bit of a mystery. The holiday’s namesake, a martyred priest, actually could have been one of multiple men. Although many think of him as the patron saint of lovers, this reputation likely began centuries after his death.

Most holidays have pretty clear origin stories and reasons for their celebration. But Valentine’s Day has a complicated history. February 14, a date we now associate as a Hallmark holiday with hearts, flowers, cards and grand gestures, was not always a day of love.