Fun Fact 2: When is Valentine's Day? Valentine's Day is February 14 it is celebrated in many countries across the world
Fun Fact 3: Who was Valentine? There are different ideas about the origins of Saint Valentine, the most popular historical account is that of the Roman Saint who was sent to prison for marrying soldiers when they were forbidden
Fun Fact 4: Whilst Saint Valentine was in prison he healed the warden's daughter from blindness. He was executed on February 14th and wrote a letter to the girl signing it "from your Valentine"
Fun Fact 5: The Roman fertility festival 'Lupercalia' took place around February 14th; some historians suggest that early Christians chose this time to honor a martyr named Valentine
Fun Fact 6: The association of February 14th and the celebration of romance and love became more popular in England during the 14th century
Fun Fact 7: 14th century English poet Geoffrey Chaucer famously wrote about the connection of February 14th in a poem relating the date to the start of spring and the romance of birds choosing their summer companions
Fun Fact 8: King Henry VIII of England officially declared February 14th a holiday in 1537
Fun Fact 9: Popular Valentine's Day symbols include; heart shaped emblems, doves, the image of winged god cupid and his bow and arrow
Fun Fact 10: Cupid is associated with Valentine’s Day because he was the son of Venus, the Roman god of love and beauty. Cupid carries with him a bow and arrow; if you are shot by cupid's arrow you are alleged to be filled with uncontrollable love!
Fun Fact 11: The giving of Valentine's cards dates back to Mid-18th century, England. As postal services and paper became more affordable St Valentine's Day cards increased in popularity, mass production began in the early 19th century
Fun Fact 12: The first mass-produced valentine's cards in the U.S. were available in 1847. The embossed paper and lace cards were produced by Esther Howland of Massachusetts; Esther was nicknamed "The Mother of the American Valentine"
Fun Fact 13: Popular Valentine's gift and present ideas include; flowers, cards, perfume, chocolates, poem books, bath products, body lotions, personal poems, jewelry and soft, plush toys
Fun Fact 14: Did you know that pet owners buying Valentine's gifts for their beloved animal is big business? Nearly 10 million pet owners buy Valentine's gifts for their pets each year
Fun Fact 15: With the dawning of the internet in the 21st Century new Valentine's traditions are forming! Digital e-cards, Valentine's printables, free messaging and digital Valentine's greetings are becoming an increasingly popular way fro Valentine's to say "I love you" |