Valentine's Day is a day of romance, gifts, and glittery cards that has rooted deeply into our past. While there are more than three incarnations of the venerated saint of romance, there are only two that have maintained their legends. Historians and clergymen alike have been embellishing the accounts since 270 A.D.
St. Valentine, who was named after Emperor Claudius II of Rome, lived during his reign, realizing that single men made better soldiers than married men, outlawed marriage in order to bolster his forces (though historians debate whether or not this is true). He was eventually discovered and beheaded for his sins.
Bishop Valentine, who was imprisoned for his crimes, was captured by Claudius' men and sentenced to death.
The placing of Valentine's Day in February, most likely not due to the deaths of the martyrs. It's more likely that the church repurposed a pagan holiday. 15 February is the ancient Roman holiday of Lupercalia.
Animal sacrifices of livestock were made outside the city in a cave the twins were raised in. The fresh hides were then taken into the city and surrounding fields, where they were placed against the ground or women's stomachs, and it was a joy to be blessed.