Fact 1: Origin of Valentine's Day
The history of Valentine's Day traces back to the ancient Roman festival of 'Lupercalia', which was originally celebrated on February 15. Lupercalia was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture. It wasn't until much later, around the 5th century, that Pope Gelasius I abolished Lupercalia and declared February 14 as Saint Valentine’s Day.
Fact 2: Various St. Valentines
There's not just one, but at least three different Saint Valentines for which the day could possibly be dedicated. All three were martyred, and all three have their feast day on February 14th, as stated by the Catholic Church.
Fact 3: The Valentine’s Day Massacre
Despite being a day of love and romance, one of the bloodiest events in Chicago's history happened on Valentine's Day, 1929. Known as the St. Valentine's Day Massacre, seven gang members were gunned down in a clash between the South Side Italian gang led by Al Capone and the North Side Irish gang led by Bugs Moran.
Fact 4: Love Letters Tradition
The tradition of sending love letters on Valentine's Day dates back to the Middle Ages. It was believed that birds began their mating season on February 14, giving rise to the idea of expressing love and affection through letters and poems.
Fact 5: Red Roses and Valentine’s Day
Red roses are the favorite flowers gifted on Valentine's Day. This tradition is linked to the Roman goddess of love, Venus, whose favorite flower was the red rose. It's believed that the red color symbolizes deep and passionate love.
Fact 6: The Valentine’s Card Phenomenon
After Christmas, Valentine's Day is the second most popular occasion in the year for sending cards. According to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated 145 million Valentine's Day cards are sent each year.
Fact 7: Valentine's Day and Pets
People don't just buy Valentine's Day gifts for their human loved ones. A survey from the National Retail Federation found that in 2020, approximately 27.4% of people celebrating Valentine’s Day purchased gifts for their pets.
Fact 8: Single Awareness Day
For those who are single or not in a romantic relationship, February 14 is also known as Single Awareness Day (S.A.D). The day serves as a reminder that it's okay to be single, and it's celebrated by treating oneself with a special outing or gift.
Fact 9: World Marriage Day
To coincide with Valentine's day, the second week of February is also recognized as 'National Marriage Week' in the United States, with the second Sunday of the month marked as 'World Marriage Day'.
Fact 10: The Confectionery Debut
In the late 1800s, Richard Cadbury from the famous chocolate manufacturing family, introduced the first box of Valentine’s Day chocolates. Since then, chocolates have become a traditional gift for the occasion.
Fact 11: The Influence of Shakespeare
William Shakespeare’s romantic plays prominently feature Valentine’s Day, especially 'Hamlet'. His works contributed significantly to the popularization of the day in Britain and other English-speaking countries.
Fact 12: The largest Valentine's Day card
The largest Valentine's Day card ever made, according to the Guinness World Records, measured 110 ft tall and 72 ft wide, covering more ground than a basketball court. It was presented in Dubai, UAE, in February 2020.
Fact 13: The “Vinegar Valentines” Tradition
Before sweetly sentimental cards became the norm, people sent “vinegar valentines” — cards that bluntly told the recipient why no one loved them. This was a common practice in the 19th century.
Fact 14: “Wearing your heart on your sleeve”
The phrase “wearing your heart on your sleeve” came from a Valentine's Day tradition in the Middle Ages, where young men would draw the name of their Valentine from a bowl and wear it on their sleeve for a week.
Fact 15: Candy Hearts
Candy hearts, the sweet conversation starters with messages like "Be Mine" and "Kiss Me", have been a staple of Valentine's Day since the 19th century. These candies, known as Sweethearts, are produced by the company NECCO.
Fact 16: Cupid’s Roots
Cupid, the winged matchmaker, comes from Roman mythology. He is the mischievous son of Venus, goddess of love, whose arrows are said to inspire romantic love.
Fact 17: Love Spoon Tradition
In Wales, Valentine's Day is often recognized with the giving of love spoons, a tradition dating back to the 17th century. These hand-carved wooden spoons symbolize love and commitment.
Fact 18: Valentine's Day Weddings
February 14 is one of the most popular days to get married in Las Vegas, according to the city's tourism board. It sees a significant spike in weddings, with thousands of marriage licenses issued.
Fact 19: Valentine's Day In Other Cultures
In some cultures, Valentine's Day is not the day to celebrate love. For instance, in Finland, February 14 marks Ystävänpäivä or "Friend's Day", where people celebrate friendship rather than romantic love.
Fact 20: Plants other than Roses
While roses are the go-to Valentine's flower, other plants also experience a sales boost around the holiday. The Garden Media Group reported that succulents, with their ease of care and long lifespan, have gained popularity as Valentine's gifts.