While living in America, you’ve likely experienced Valentine’s Day celebrations on February 14th. Also called Saint Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love that has been recorded for 1,527 years.

Although Valentine’s Day isn’t an established holiday in every country, most countries have something similar. In Ghana, for example, February 14th is celebrated as “National Chocolate Day.” In Spain, a Valentine’s Day-like holiday is celebrated on October 9th. This day is known as the feast of Saint Dionysus (also spelled Dionysius). In Bosnia and Herzegovina, however, Valentine’s Day isn’t as recognized. Instead, they celebrate March 8th as International Women’s Day.

International Women’s Day is a global holiday celebrating a turning point in the women’s rights movement. The holiday got its foundations in New York City on March 8, 1857, when female textile workers held a strike against poor working conditions and gender inequality in the workplace. Although it started in New York, International Women’s Day isn’t that popularized in the United States. As much as International Women’s Day isn’t as widely acknowledged in the U.S., Valentine’s Day isn’t as acknowledged in much of Europe.

Almira Delic tells of her experiences in her home country of Bosnia. “We have Valentine’s Day, but I didn’t have much experience with it. What is big, though, is March 8th, International Women’s Day. That’s when they’re selling carnations on the streets, so gentlemen will just buy and give them, even if it’s just to a random woman walking by. At work, they will be celebrated. Even at school, the girls are spoiled. Gentlemen use that day to take girls out on dates or to dinner, similar to how they would act on Valentine’s Day.”

Delic explained that while it’s not as big of a deal in Bosnia, people still participate in Valentine’s Day celebrations. “Valentine’s Day is existing. It’s the same as it is here; champagne and chocolates, men taking women out to dinner, people being gifted or gifting flowers. It’s a similar celebration, but it’s not as anticipated as it is here.”

For some people, Valentine’s Day is all about getting candy. For others, it’s an excuse to treat someone special. Some, like Delic, use it an excuse to spend time with family. “We celebrate Valentine’s here, but we don’t like gifts or any of that stuff. It’s just meant to spend time together with family. I want the woman and the man to appreciate each other every day, and every day should be celebrated; not just on Valentine’s Day. It loses all its meaning if it’s just about gifts.”