The Story Behind Valentine’s Day: Romance, Roses & English Vocabulary

💕 Valentine’s Day is known around the world, but how did it begin? In this episode, listeners explore the ancient origins of the holiday, its evolution through the Roman Empire, and how it eventually became a celebration of romance and gift-giving in the United States.

The episode explains cultural traditions such as handwritten valentines, chocolates, roses, restaurant dinners, and the massive commercialization behind February 14. It also introduces useful vocabulary related to love, gifts, celebration, and American culture, helping English learners build fluency naturally through context.

Perfect for intermediate English learners who want to improve listening skills while discovering real U.S. culture. By the end, listeners will understand why Valentine’s Day is so important in America — and how the holiday became what it is today.

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📜Sources:

https://postalmuseum.si.edu/america%E2%80%99s-valentine

https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/heres-how-much-americans-spend-on-valentines-day

📝 Vocabulary list:

1) Matchmaking: Bringing people together romantically.

2) Tame: to make something less wild or uncontrollable, often by imposing restrictions or regulations.

3) Martyr: someone who dies for their beliefs

4) Mass-produced: Made in large quantities cheaply.

5) Stamps: Adhesive pieces of paper used to pay for postage.

6) Commercialized: Focused on making money by selling products.

7) Significant other: A romantic partner.

8) Overwhelmed: too busy to cope effectively

9) Pushback: resistance or opposition

10) Consumer culture: a society focused on buying and consuming goods