Valentine's Day: History and Traditions

• Valentine's Day is the second biggest "giving" day of the year after Christmas.
• Over 62% of Americans celebrate Valentine's Day.
• An estimated one billion Valentines are sent each year.
• 35 million boxes of chocolates and 220 million roses are purchased for the holiday.
• 20% of celebrators purchase jewelry as a gift.
• About $20 billion is spent annually on Valentine's Day.
• Some believe Lupercalia, an ancient Roman fertility festival held on February 15 in the 6th century B. C. , was the precursor to Valentine's Day.
• Lupercalia was a bloody, violent, and sexual celebration to please the Roman fertility god Lupercus.
• The festival involved sacrificing a male goat and using its skin to whip women to ward off infertility.
• The Catholic church introduced the feast of St. Valentine on February 14 to counteract pagan practices and put a religious spin on the day.
• Claudius II forbade soldiers from marrying to prevent distractions from military duties.
• A Catholic priest named Valentine defied Claudius II by continuing to perform weddings.
• Valentine was imprisoned for his insolence and beheaded on February 14 for refusing to forsake his faith, becoming a saint for his martyrdom.
• Another legend tells of Valentine praying with his jailer's blind daughter, Julia, and restoring her sight.
• Before his execution, Valentine wrote a note to Julia signed, "Love, from your Valentine," which gained him a reputation as the patron saint of lovers.
• Pope Gelasius eradicated Lupercalia in the late 5th century A. D. and declared February 14 a day of remembrance for St. Valentine.
• In 1375, Geoffrey Chaucer wrote "The Parlement of Foules," which describes birds choosing their mates on St. Valentine's Day
• Nobles began writing love notes that later became known as Valentines in the late 14th century.
• The oldest known Valentine was written from prison in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife.
• People began giving cards, flowers, and gifts anonymously, signed "Your Valentine."
• In the 1860s, John Cadbury began selling chocolates in heart-shaped boxes.
• "Vinegar Valentines" were sent anonymously by scorned lovers or enemies, containing disparaging messages.
• Hallmark produced the first commercially printed Valentine's Day card in 1913.
• Valentine's Day is evolving to include showing affection for friends, family, co-workers, teachers, and neighbors.
• Galentine's Day, celebrated on February 13, is a day for women to enjoy with their girlfriends.

Explore the history of Valentine's Day, from its possible origins in the Roman festival of Lupercalia to its modern traditions. Learn about the spending habits, popular gifts, and the religious influences that have shaped this celebrated holiday. Discover interesting facts and figures associated with Valentine's Day.