Valentine’s Day is one of the most celebrated occasions worldwide, marked by love, romance, and heartfelt expressions of affection. Every year on February 14, millions of people exchange cards, flowers, chocolates, and gifts with their loved ones. But have you ever wondered how this tradition began? Where did Valentine’s Day originate, and why do we associate it with love and romance?
The history of Valentine’s Day is as fascinating as the holiday itself, stretching back centuries to a mix of ancient Roman rituals, Christian legends, and medieval romantic traditions. From the mysterious identity of Saint Valentine to the evolution of Valentine’s Day as a global celebration of love, this holiday has undergone significant transformations.
Beyond its historical origins, Valentine's Day is also full of intriguing facts. There are countless surprising and fun facts about this special day. Here are amazing Valentine's Day facts that reveal the rich traditions, surprising statistics, and historical events that have shaped this beloved occasion.
Valentine’s Day 2025: Facts and History
Introduction of Box of Chocolates for Valentine’s
The tradition of gifting chocolates on Valentine's Day dates back to the 19th century, thanks to Richard Cadbury, a member of the famous British chocolate-making family. At the time, Cadbury’s company had developed an innovative method to produce a wider range of chocolates. Seizing the opportunity, he introduced beautifully designed chocolate boxes specifically for Valentine’s Day, making sweet treats an essential part of the holiday’s celebrations.
The Earliest Recorded Valentine Dates Back to the 15th Century
According to History.com the historical records trace the first known Valentine’s message to the year 1415. Charles, Duke of Orléans, composed a heartfelt poem for his wife while imprisoned in the Tower of London as a political captive. This poetic declaration of love is considered the oldest surviving Valentine. One of the lines from his letter reads: "I am already sick of love, My very gentle Valentine." His romantic words, penned during his captivity, remain a touching testament to the enduring power of love across centuries.
Valentine’s Namesake in Four U.S. States
Did you know that four states in the U.S. have towns named Valentine? These romantic-sounding places can be found in Arizona, Nebraska, Texas, and Virginia. While most of them are simply called "Valentine," Virginia stands out with its version, "Valentine’s", featuring an added "s." These towns may not be global romance capitals, but their name certainly makes them fitting locations for celebrating love!
The Origins of Valentine's Day Flowers: A Tradition Since the 17th Century
While giving red roses as a romantic gesture may seem like an age-old tradition, it wasn’t always the norm. The concept of expressing emotions through flowers traces back to the late 1700s, when Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, the wife of the British ambassador to Turkey, encountered a local custom that used rhyming words to convey secret messages. However, she mistakenly believed that the flowers themselves held hidden meanings rather than just accompanying the rhymes.
This misconception led to the rise of "floriography," or the language of flowers, which quickly gained popularity across Europe.
READ| 21+ Valentine's Day Greeting Card Ideas to Make to Greet Your Dear Ones
The Blooming Business of Valentine’s Day Roses
Every year, approximately 250 million roses are cultivated in anticipation of Valentine's Day. While red roses have become an iconic symbol of love and romance, they don’t naturally bloom in the chilly February weather of the United States. To meet the high demand for this special occasion, millions of roses are grown in warmer climates and imported. The majority of Valentine’s Day roses sold in the U.S. are sourced from countries like Ecuador, Kenya, and Colombia. The OC Wholesale Flowers mentions: “Approximately 250 million roses are grown each year just for Valentine’s Day. Making sure that all these flowers are delivered within 24 hours costs money, as growers cover the costs of meeting the high demand under difficult conditions.”
Valentine’s Day Spending and Celebrations Reach New Heights in 2024
A recent survey by the National Retail Federation (NRF) reveals that 53% of consumers celebrated Valentine’s Day in 2024, maintaining a similar enthusiasm as 2023’s 52%. In 2025, total projected spending for the holiday stands at $27.5 billion.
The Origin of ‘Wearing Your Heart on Your Sleeve’
The phrase “wearing your heart on your sleeve” is believed to have originated from an old matchmaking tradition. According to the Smithsonian, during the Middle Ages, men participated in a Roman festival dedicated to Juno, the goddess of love and marriage. As part of the event, they would draw the names of women who would be their partners for the coming year. To publicly display their connection, the men would wear the chosen names on their sleeves throughout the festival, symbolizing their romantic bond.
Galentine's Day: A Rising Trend
Galentine’s Day has gained immense popularity in recent years. This unofficial holiday, which celebrates friendship between women, was first introduced in a 2010 episode of the TV show Parks and Recreation. Since then, it has sparked an incredible and widespread movement, with friends celebrating each other in ways that rival traditional romantic celebrations.
Cupid's Origins as Eros, the Greek God of Love
The iconic image of a chubby, winged baby with a bow and arrow, commonly known as Cupid, has long been associated with Valentine’s Day. However, his story starts in ancient Greece, where he was originally known as Eros, the god of love. Eros, the mischievous son of the goddess Aphrodite, had the power to stir emotions with two sets of arrows—one that caused love and the other that sparked hatred.
Valentine’s Day Card Exchange
Hallmark reports that an impressive 145 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged each year on February 14, making it the second-most popular card-giving holiday after Christmas.
READ| How Students Can Spread Positivity and Strengthen Friendships This Valentine’s Week
Pet Lovers Spend Big on Valentine’s Day Gifts
Americans are showing their love for their furry friends this Valentine's Day, with an estimated $2.14 billion expected to be spent on gifts for cats and dogs. This figure marks more than a two-fold increase compared to the amount spent in the previous year, highlighting the growing trend of celebrating Valentine’s Day with pets.
Candy Reigns as the Top Valentine’s Gift
According to the National Retail Federation, candy is the most common gift exchanged on Valentine’s Day, with many people choosing sweet treats along with greeting cards for their loved ones. In addition to candy, flowers, gift cards, and clothing are also popular choices for Valentine’s Day gifts.
Sweethearts’ Candies Originally Began as Lozenges
According to History.com, the beloved heart-shaped Sweethearts candies, known for their sweet messages, actually started out as simple lozenges. In the mid-19th century, pharmacist and inventor Oliver Chase developed a machine that efficiently produced lozenges, a popular remedy at the time. Later, he adapted the same machine to make a different type of candy, which became known as Necco Wafers.
The concept of printing sweet messages on candy was introduced in 1866 by Chase’s brother, and the candies took on their now-famous heart shape in 1901 to specifically cater to Valentine’s Day.
Lovebirds Are Real Birds
Although the term “lovebirds” is often used as a metaphor for couples, it actually refers to a species of parrot called Agapornis. Native to Africa, these small, colorful birds are commonly found in the eastern and southern regions of the continent. Known for their strong pair bonds, lovebirds are often seen traveling and living in pairs, which is why the term has come to symbolize affectionate couples.
Valentine’s Day: A Top Day for Engagements
Valentine’s Day ranks as one of the most popular occasions for proposals. In fact, a survey by WeddingWire revealed that February 14th was the leading day for engagements in 2020. This trend aligns with findings from various other studies, which show that Valentine's Day, along with Christmas and New Year’s, are some of the top dates when people choose to pop the question.
The Highest Grossing Movie Ever is a Love Story
The film that holds the record for the highest total box office earnings was the iconic historical romance Titanic, which grossed $659 million in the domestic market. This record remained unchallenged for over a decade until Avatar surpassed it twelve years later.
A Groundbreaking Invention Announced on Valentine’s Day
When it comes to showing affection on Valentine’s Day, we often rely on calls or texts to connect with distant loved ones. Interestingly, the telephone, a key tool for communication today, was patented by Alexander Graham Bell on February 14, 1876. This pivotal moment in history, marked on the same day as Valentine’s Day, revolutionized the way people express their feelings across distances.
Comments
All Comments (0)
Join the conversation