Esther Howland isn’t a household name for most Americans. But those who’ve studied the history behind the intricate, hand-crafted cards she started making some 175 years ago argue that she should be. ...

The history of Valentine's Day is mushy. It's been linked to a 12th-century poem about birds mating, the Christian-martyr-turned-Saint Valentine and a deadly fertility ritual in ancient Rome, but ...

Valentine’s Day is the ultimate day to acknowledge and celebrate various forms of love, specifically the romantic kind. American stores begin to stock their shelves with chocolates, candy, and massive ...

The Vault is Slate's new history blog. Like us on Facebook; follow us on Twitter @slatevault; find us on Tumblr. Find out more about what this space is all about here. Among the many beautiful ...

Love is in the air... or at least it will be in a couple of weeks with Valentine's Day coming up. Whether you are a fan of the celebration or not, you might wonder how it got started and took over ...

No matter how you choose to express your affection, find inspiration in our collections. From vintage valentines to love songs, our collections have heart.

Each year on February 14, millions of people celebrate the world’s largest festival of love with boxes of chocolates, candlelit meals, and notes of affection. But behind the rosy facade of Valentine’s ...

Love connection? Probably not. This Valentine's Day, one Wisconsin lawmaker is trying to bring colleagues together on politics, no matter the party. In these days of heavy division, there may be no ...

Wanna know my two cents that no one asked for? Here is it: Valentine’s Day parties are vastly underrated. Birthdays and bachelorette celebrations get all the love—and for good reason—but I'd like to ...