Interesting Facts About Valentine’s Day
Did you know that Valentine’s Day is celebrated in over 140 countries around the world?
In Finland, Valentine’s Day is called Ystävänpäivä, which translates to Friend’s Day.
Richard Cadbury, the founder of Cadbury chocolates, created the first heart-shaped chocolate box for Valentine’s Day in 1861.
On average, around 220 million roses are produced for Valentine’s Day each year.
In South Korea, Valentine’s Day is celebrated with a unique twist – women give gifts to men on February 14th, and then men reciprocate on March 14th, known as White Day.
Teachers receive the most Valentine’s Day cards, followed by children, mothers, wives, and then sweethearts.
The heart shape we commonly associate with love actually has roots in the ancient belief that the heart was the center of all human emotions.
The oldest known valentine still in existence is a poem written by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London in 14
9. In Japan, it is customary for women to give chocolates to men on Valentine’s Day, with different types of chocolate carrying different meanings.
Valentine’s Day is the second most popular card-sending holiday after Christmas.
The Italian city of Verona, known for being the setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, receives around 1,000 letters addressed to Juliet on Valentine’s Day.
Interesting Facts About Valentine’s Day part 2
In the Middle Ages, superstition held that the first unmarried person encountered on Valentine’s Day would become their future spouse.
According to legend, St. Valentine’s Day is associated with the start of bird mating season.
Finland holds a National Husband’s Day on Valentine’s Day, where husbands are honored and showered with gifts.
In medieval times, young men and women would draw names from a bowl to determine their Valentine.
The red rose was the favorite flower of Venus, the Roman goddess of love.
In the Philippines, Valentine’s Day is a popular day for weddings, and many couples choose to tie the knot on this romantic occasion.
The heart symbol we use today is actually based on the shape of the Silphium plant’s seed, which was believed to have contraceptive properties in ancient times.
The longest recorded marriage lasted 87 years and 9 months – a true testament to the power of love celebrated on Valentine’s Day.
In the U.S., the average amount spent on Valentine’s Day gifts is around $13 billion each year.
The tradition of exchanging valentines dates back to the 15th century.
Alexander Graham Bell applied for his patent for the telephone on Valentine’s Day in 1876.
The Taj Mahal, one of the most iconic symbols of love, was completed on Valentine’s Day in 1653.
The first recorded Valentine’s Day card was sent in the 15th century by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London.
February 14th is also National Donor Day in the United States to raise awareness about organ, tissue, and blood donation.
In South Africa, Valentine’s Day is observed as a time to recognize the importance of celibacy for young people.
The heart symbol was not depicted as red until the 16th century when it began appearing on playing cards.
The oldest known valentine was written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London.
In France, Valentine’s Day is known as La Saint-Valentin, and it is customary to exchange love letters and cards.
In the 1800s, doctors would often prescribe chocolate as a remedy for heartache and depression.
On Valentine’s Day in 1969, Richard Nixon launched the United States’ first peace talks to end the Vietnam War.
Valentine’s Day is also celebrated in some Middle Eastern countries, although it can be more private and low-key due to cultural norms.
The inscription on the famous Sweethearts conversation candy hearts has been updated over the years, including phrases like Fax Me in the 1980s and Tweet Me in recent years.
In ancient Rome, February 14th was celebrated as Lupercalia, a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the god of agriculture.
Valentine’s Day is believed to have evolved from both Roman and Christian traditions.
In Scotland, Valentine’s Day was once celebrated with a unique game called ‘Finding the Bride,’ where single men and women would search for hidden clues to find their future spouse.
According to the Greeting Card Association, women purchase approximately 85% of all valentine cards.
In some countries, Valentine’s Day is seen as an ideal day for marriage proposals, and it is considered extremely romantic and special.
Valentine’s Day became popular in Great Britain around the 17th century.
In Japan, white chocolate is often given on Valentine’s Day as a symbol of purity.
Valentine’s Day has been celebrated for over 1,500 years.
In Denmark, Valentine’s Day is called Valentinsdag and is celebrated with the exchange of love notes called gaekkebrev.
The phrase wearing your heart on your sleeve dates back to the Middle Ages when young men would draw the name of their valentine and pin it on their sleeve for a week.
In ancient Rome, young women would wear their sweethearts’ names on their sleeves during a spring festival that took place on February 15th.
Approximately 10% of all marriage proposals happen on Valentine’s Day.