What year was "Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown" released?

The answer is: 1975

"Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown" first aired on CBS in 1975, bringing viewers a heartbreakingly relatable story about elementary school Valentine's Day drama. The special follows multiple characters getting their hearts crushed in different ways, because apparently nothing says "romance" like watching Charlie Brown strike out at love.

The plot centers around Charlie Brown hoping to finally get some valentines, even bringing a briefcase to school to carry all the cards he expects to receive. Meanwhile, Linus develops a crush on his teacher Miss Othmar and buys her an expensive box of chocolates, and Sally misinterprets Linus's intentions and thinks the chocolates are for her. It all builds up to a particularly brutal Valentine's Day party where Charlie Brown stands at the class valentine box watching everyone else get cards while he gets exactly zero valentines and one brutal candy heart reading "FORGET IT, KID." At least Snoopy gives him a consolation kiss on the nose the next day.

Even within the special, Violet tries to save face by offering Charlie Brown a used valentine out of pity, though Schroeder quickly calls out this thoughtless gesture. Life imitated art when the special aired, as bags of real valentines poured in from children across America who felt bad for Charlie Brown. The special's blend of humor and heartbreak earned it a Primetime Emmy nomination, proving sometimes the best Valentine's Day stories aren't about getting the girl, but about getting absolutely nothing.