51 Fun Facts About Valentine's Day

Which Roman emperor officially recognized February 14 as Saint Valentine's Day?

In 496 AD, Pope Gelasius I declared February 14 as Saint Valentine's Day. While not a Roman emperor, he was the head of the Church who officially established the feast day, replacing the pagan festival of Lupercalia.

What ancient Roman festival, celebrated from February 13-15, is considered a predecessor to Valentine's Day?

Lupercalia was an ancient Roman fertility festival held February 13-15. It included rituals believed to promote health and fertility, and is widely considered a precursor to modern Valentine's Day celebrations.

Who is generally credited with writing the first known Valentine's Day message while imprisoned in the Tower of London?

Charles, Duke of Orleans, wrote a poem to his wife in 1415 while imprisoned in the Tower of London after the Battle of Agincourt. It is considered one of the oldest known Valentine's Day messages.

Which poet first linked Valentine's Day with romantic love in his 1382 poem 'Parlement of Foules'?

Geoffrey Chaucer's 'Parlement of Foules' (1382) contains the line 'For this was on Seynt Valentynes day, Whan every foul cometh ther to choose his make,' which is the earliest known association of Valentine's Day with romantic love.

Approximately how many Valentine's Day cards are exchanged annually in the United States?

Approximately 145 million Valentine's Day cards are exchanged each year in the US, making it the second-largest card-sending holiday after Christmas, according to the Greeting Card Association.

What is the most popular flower given on Valentine's Day?

Red roses are by far the most popular Valentine's Day flower. Over 250 million roses are produced for Valentine's Day each year. The red rose has been associated with love since ancient Greek and Roman mythology.

In which country do women give men chocolate on Valentine's Day, with men returning the favor on 'White Day' one month later?

In Japan, women give chocolate to men on Valentine's Day. Men reciprocate on March 14, known as 'White Day,' where they give white chocolate or other gifts in return.

What heart-shaped candy was first produced in 1866 and features short printed messages?

Sweethearts, also known as conversation hearts, were first produced by the New England Confectionery Company (NECCO) in 1866. The tiny heart-shaped candies feature short messages like 'Be Mine' and 'Love You.'

Which Shakespeare play features the famous balcony scene and the quote 'O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?'

Romeo and Juliet, written around 1594-1596, features the iconic balcony scene. The word 'wherefore' means 'why,' so Juliet is lamenting why Romeo must be a Montague, her family's enemy.

What percentage of Valentine's Day spending in the US is on jewelry?

Jewelry accounts for roughly 22% of Valentine's Day spending in the US, making it the single largest spending category. Total Valentine's Day spending in the US exceeds $25 billion annually.

Which city in Italy is considered the most romantic and is associated with Romeo and Juliet?

Verona, Italy is the setting of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Tourists visit 'Juliet's Balcony' at the Casa di Giulietta, and thousands of love letters are sent to Juliet there every year.

Cupid, the symbol of Valentine's Day, is the Roman equivalent of which Greek god?

Cupid is the Roman god of love, equivalent to the Greek god Eros. In mythology, anyone struck by Cupid's arrow would fall irresistibly in love. He is typically depicted as a winged infant with a bow and arrow.

What color roses symbolize friendship rather than romantic love?

Yellow roses traditionally symbolize friendship, joy, and caring rather than romantic love. Red roses signify romantic love, white roses represent purity, and pink roses convey gratitude and admiration.

Which 1990 film features the iconic pottery wheel scene between characters played by Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze?

Ghost (1990), starring Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze, features the famous pottery wheel scene set to 'Unchained Melody' by The Righteous Brothers. The film won two Academy Awards.

Richard Cadbury produced the first heart-shaped box of chocolates for Valentine's Day in what year?

Richard Cadbury introduced the first heart-shaped box of chocolates in 1861. He decorated the boxes with cupids and rosebuds, and they were designed to be kept as keepsakes after the chocolates were eaten.

How many Saint Valentines are recognized by the Catholic Church?

The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different Saint Valentines, all of whom were martyred. The most commonly referenced are Valentine of Rome and Valentine of Terni, both executed on February 14 in different years.

In which country is Valentine's Day also known as 'Friend's Day' or 'Día del Amor y la Amistad'?

In Mexico and several Latin American countries, Valentine's Day is celebrated as 'Día del Amor y la Amistad' (Day of Love and Friendship), emphasizing both romantic love and platonic friendships.

What is the estimated number of roses produced for Valentine's Day worldwide each year?

Approximately 250 million roses are produced specifically for Valentine's Day each year. Most Valentine's Day roses sold in the US are imported from Colombia and Ecuador.

Which classic 1942 film ends with the line 'Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship'?

Casablanca (1942), starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, ends with this iconic line. The film is widely regarded as one of the greatest love stories in cinema history.

What organ did ancient Egyptians believe was the center of love and emotions?

Ancient Egyptians believed the liver was the center of all emotions, including love. They considered the heart to be the center of intelligence. During mummification, the heart was preserved while the brain was discarded.

Which country celebrates 'Singles' Day' on November 11 as an anti-Valentine's Day?

China celebrates Singles' Day on November 11 (11/11, where the 1s represent single people). Started in the 1990s by university students, it has become the world's largest online shopping event, popularized by Alibaba.

What was the name of the 1989 romantic comedy starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan that popularized the question 'Can men and women really be just friends?'

When Harry Met Sally (1989) explored whether men and women can maintain a platonic friendship. The film is famous for the deli scene and the New Year's Eve ending speech.

What does 'XOXO' stand for in the context of Valentine's messages?

XOXO represents hugs and kisses, where X symbolizes kisses (from the medieval practice of marking an X and kissing it as a pledge) and O symbolizes hugs (representing arms wrapped around someone).

In South Korea, what day in April is designated for singles who didn't receive gifts on Valentine's Day or White Day?

Black Day (April 14) is observed in South Korea by singles who didn't receive gifts on Valentine's Day or White Day. Singles gather to eat jajangmyeon (black bean noodles), hence the name 'Black Day.'

Which famous couple's love letters, published posthumously, revealed a passionate 40-year correspondence?

Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Robert Browning exchanged nearly 600 letters during their courtship and marriage. Their love story is one of literature's greatest romances, beginning when Robert wrote to Elizabeth praising her poetry.

What is the most popular Valentine's Day gift in the United States by spending?

Jewelry is the top Valentine's Day gift by total spending in the US, with Americans spending over $5 billion on jewelry for the holiday. While more people buy candy and cards, jewelry commands higher per-item spending.

The heart shape symbol used on Valentine's Day is thought to be based on the shape of which plant's seed?

The iconic heart shape may derive from the seed of the silphium plant, used as a natural contraceptive in ancient Cyrene (modern Libya). Silphium was so valuable that its seed shape was stamped on Cyrenean coins.

Which 2004 romantic film features an ensemble cast telling interconnected love stories set in the weeks before Christmas?

Love Actually (2003, released widely in 2004) features ten interconnected love stories starring Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, and others. Though set at Christmas, it has become a beloved film for romantics year-round.

What country is the world's largest exporter of cut roses, supplying most Valentine's Day roses to the US?

Colombia is the world's second-largest flower exporter and the primary source of Valentine's Day roses for the United States, supplying roughly 80% of roses imported to the US. Ecuador is known for premium long-stem roses.

In which century did the tradition of exchanging handwritten Valentine's notes become widespread in England?

By the 18th century, exchanging handwritten Valentine's notes and tokens of affection became common in England. The practice expanded dramatically in the 19th century when improvements in postal service and printing made cards more accessible.

What chemical compound, sometimes called the 'love hormone,' is released during hugging and bonding?

Oxytocin, often called the 'love hormone' or 'cuddle hormone,' is released during physical touch, hugging, and bonding activities. It plays a key role in social bonding, trust, and romantic attachment.

The Valentine's Day Massacre of 1929 took place in which American city?

The Saint Valentine's Day Massacre occurred on February 14, 1929, in Chicago when seven members of Bugs Moran's gang were shot by Al Capone's associates. It became one of the most notorious events of the Prohibition era.

Which famous playwright wrote: 'The course of true love never did run smooth'?

This quote comes from Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' (Act 1, Scene 1). Lysander speaks the line to Hermia, acknowledging the obstacles to their love.

What percentage of American women say they would end a relationship if they didn't receive a Valentine's Day gift?

Surveys suggest about 5% of women say they would consider ending a relationship over a missed Valentine's Day gift. While the holiday is commercially significant, most people value the thought and effort over material gifts.

Phenylethylamine, the chemical found in chocolate, mimics the brain chemistry of what experience?

Phenylethylamine (PEA) found in chocolate triggers the release of endorphins and dopamine, mimicking the brain chemistry of falling in love. This may explain why chocolate has been associated with romance for centuries.

Which US state produces the most roses for Valentine's Day?

California is the top rose-producing state in the US, though the majority of Valentine's Day roses are imported from South America. California's climate supports year-round greenhouse and outdoor rose cultivation.

What is the traditional gift for a first wedding anniversary, often given on Valentine's Day to newly married couples?

Paper is the traditional gift for a first wedding anniversary. The symbolism represents the blank page of a new marriage and the fragility of a new relationship that must be nurtured to grow stronger.

In Finland, Valentine's Day is called 'Ystävänpäivä,' which translates to what?

In Finland, February 14 is 'Ystävänpäivä,' meaning 'Friend's Day.' Rather than focusing on romantic love, Finns celebrate all forms of friendship and affection, exchanging cards and small gifts with friends.

Which ancient civilization first associated the heart shape with love and emotion?

The ancient Greeks are generally credited with first associating the heart with love and strong emotions. The philosopher Aristotle described the heart as the center of all emotion, a belief that persisted for centuries.

What 1997 film features a love story aboard a doomed ocean liner and won 11 Academy Awards?

Titanic (1997), directed by James Cameron and starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, won 11 Academy Awards including Best Picture. The fictional love story of Jack and Rose unfolds during the Titanic's maiden voyage.

Which monarch was the first to send an official Valentine's card, doing so from prison in 1477?

Margery Brews wrote a letter to her fiancé John Paston in February 1477, calling him 'my right well-beloved Valentine.' While not a monarch, this is considered the oldest known Valentine's letter in English.

What percentage of all Valentine's Day cards are purchased by women?

Women purchase approximately 85% of all Valentine's Day cards. This includes cards for romantic partners, family members, friends, and teachers. Men tend to spend more on gifts like jewelry and dining out.

In Wales, what wooden craft item is traditionally given as a romantic gift on January 25 (St. Dwynwen's Day)?

Welsh love spoons are intricately hand-carved wooden spoons given as tokens of romantic affection. The tradition dates back to the 17th century, with different carved symbols conveying specific messages about the giver's intentions.

Which candy company produces the iconic heart-shaped box of chocolates called the 'Russell Stover Heart'?

Russell Stover is famous for its Valentine's Day heart-shaped boxes of assorted chocolates. The company is one of the largest producers of boxed chocolates in the US and sells millions of heart boxes each February.

According to legend, Saint Valentine performed what act that angered Roman Emperor Claudius II?

According to legend, Emperor Claudius II banned marriage for young soldiers, believing single men made better warriors. Saint Valentine defied this decree by secretly performing marriages, which led to his imprisonment and execution.

What is the average amount Americans spend per person on Valentine's Day?

Americans spend an average of approximately $140-$175 per person on Valentine's Day, with total spending exceeding $25 billion nationally. The figure includes spending on partners, family, friends, coworkers, and pets.

Which romantic comedy features a bookshop owner and a famous actress falling in love in London's Notting Hill neighborhood?

Notting Hill (1999) stars Hugh Grant as bookshop owner William Thacker and Julia Roberts as famous actress Anna Scott. The film is set in London's charming Notting Hill neighborhood and became a beloved romantic comedy classic.

What does the medical term 'broken heart syndrome' (Takotsubo cardiomyopathy) actually cause?

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, or broken heart syndrome, is a temporary condition where emotional stress causes a sudden weakening of the heart muscle. Symptoms mimic a heart attack but the condition is usually reversible with treatment.

Which company mass-produced the first commercial Valentine's Day cards in the US in the 1840s?

Esther Howland, known as the 'Mother of the American Valentine,' began mass-producing elaborate Valentine's Day cards in the 1840s using imported lace, ribbons, and colorful pictures. Her business grew to $100,000 annually.

In which country do people celebrate Valentine's Day by pinning names of their crush on their sleeve, literally?

In Denmark, people historically celebrated Valentine's Day with a tradition where men sent 'gaekkebrev' (joking letters) containing a poem. The sender signed with dots instead of their name, and if guessed correctly, the recipient owed them an Easter egg.

What is 'galentine's Day,' celebrated on February 13?

Galentine's Day, celebrated on February 13, is a day for women to celebrate their female friendships. It was popularized by the TV show Parks and Recreation, where Leslie Knope hosts an annual brunch for her female friends.