Love is in the air! Everybody knows Valentine’s Day is a way to celebrate your love for one another. But did you know that this holiday is hundreds of years old? This special day dates back all the way to the 5th century — where the Roman festival of Lupercalia was held.

The Lupercalia, which was held annually in mid-February, is an ancient pagan festival that was celebrated by making ritual sacrifices, in the attempt to carry out evil spirits and infertility. A group of Roman priests called the Luperci would perform the sacrifices usually with dogs and goats — where they then smeared the animal’s blood onto their foreheads.

However, others believe that the legend Saint Valentine actually started Valentine’s Day. He was sent to prison where he then met a young girl who frequently visited him during his stay. He allegedly signed a letter saying “From your Valentine,” an expression that has made its way to our current society. People suggest that he was put to death after his attempt to help Christians escape the harsh conditions of Roman prisons.