- 11 February
- Day five of Valentine week
- A day for honest promises
Where it began
Making promises is part of every love story. Wedding vows in many cultures are promises spoken out loud before family and friends.
In England in the 1500s and 1600s people gave posy rings, small bands with a short loving line written inside. Today some couples give promise rings in the same spirit.
It is part of Valentine week, the seven days from 7 February to 14 February that young people in India and nearby lands keep, one theme a day.
How it grew over time
Ancient times
Marriage vows are spoken as promises in many cultures.
1500s
Posy rings with short loving lines are popular in England.
Recent decades
Promise Day joins Valentine week among young people in South Asia.
Today
People write promises in cards, letters and messages.
How it is celebrated in different places
India
Couples and friends write a promise in a card or say it over coffee.
United States and Europe
Some couples give promise rings before they are engaged.
Around the world
Families make promises too, like more time together or a weekly call.
Promise Day moments
Promise Day today
Today the best promises are small and real: to listen more, to call every Sunday, to cheer each other on.
