by Denise Calaman

Created on: December 03, 2009   Last Updated: December 13, 2010

Interesting Facts About Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is one of the most commerical holidays in the world today. In the United States alone, Valentine's Day is a $13.7 billion industry with most Americans spending just over $100.   Many people regard Valentine's Day as a holiday that is strictly for lovers, romance and exchanging tokens of love, but in fact most Valentine's cards are given to teachers by students. Children are the next most popular recipients of Valentines. And believe or not, pets are the third most popular recipients of Valentine's Day cards or gifts. Three percent of American pet owners admit to giving their pets Valentine's gifts on Valentine's Day. 

The tradition of exchanging cards and gifts on Valentine's Day started in the 17th century. Today, over 1 billion Valentine's cards are exchanged in the US each year. An overwhelming majority of Valentine's card givers are women. Over 85% of women buy Valentine's cards each year while only 27% of men claim to buy cards. In Medieval times when few people were literate, those who couldn't write their names often signed their names or cards with an "X". As time went on an "X" signed on a card became used as a symbol of love, often representing a kiss. It is interesting to note that star crossed lover, Juliet, from William Shakespeare's popular play, "Romeo and Juliet", receives an estimated 1,000 letters addressed to her each year in her hometown of Verona, Italy.

Cards aren't the only gifts exchanged on Valentine's Day. Nor are they the most popular. A single red rose accompanied by a spray of baby's breath is the most preferred gift by Americans for Valentine's Day. Over 50 million roses are given worldwide on Valentine's Day. Men make up the overwhelming majority of flower givers on Valentine's Day. Over 73% of men purchase flowers on Valentine's Day.

It is believed that the origins of Valentine's Day dates back to the Roman Empire during the reign of Claudius II. A Roman Catholic priest named Valentinus was secretly helping young Christian men and women to get married. Helping Christians was strictly forbidden during the emperor's reign. Claudius imprisoned Valentinus but after Valentinus tried to convert Claudius II Valentinus was condemned to death and eventually beheaded. He was martyred by the Catholic Church after his death.

However; Valentinus isn't the only martyred saint named Valentine. The Catholic Church has seven saints named Valentine but only Valentinus was martyred because of love. Nothing else is known of this martyred priest except that he was buried in Via Flaminia, Italy on February 14. Today the Catholic Church recognizes February 14 as the Feast of St. Valentine.

Learn more about this author, Denise Calaman.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.