Every February, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged across the country in the name of St. Valentine. But who exactly was this mysterious saint, and why do we celebrate this holiday? While the history of Valentine’s Day is shrouded in mystery, we do know it has long been considered the month of romance.
Valentine’s Day is one of the biggest card-sending holidays of the year. In the U.S., the first commercial Valentine’s cards were produced in the 1840s by Esther A. Howland, often called the “Mother of the Valentine.” She popularized elaborate cards featuring lace, ribbons, and colorful pictures, known as “scrap.”
History
❤️ Saint Valentine’s Mystery: There were at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend suggests he secretly married couples to avoid Roman soldiers being forced into single life.
❤️ Roman Roots: Some historians believe Valentine’s Day may have originated from the ancient Roman festival Lupercalia, a fertility celebration held in mid-February.
❤️ First Written Valentine: The oldest known Valentine’s message was sent in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orléans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London.
❤️ Cupid’s Origins: The cherubic Cupid we associate with love today comes from Eros, the Greek god of love, desire, and attraction.
❤️ Esther A. Howland: Dubbed the “Mother of the American Valentine,” Howland commercialized Valentine’s Day cards in the 1840s.
Present Day
❤️ Card-Sending Craze: Around 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are sent annually, making it the second-largest card-sending holiday after Christmas.
❤️ Women Send the Most Valentines.: About 85% of Valentine’s cards are purchased by women.
❤️ Worldwide Celebrations: Valentine’s Day is popular in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the U.K., France, and Australia, with growing popularity in Japan and South Korea.
❤️ Sweet Tooth Holiday: Over 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolates are sold annually in the U.S. for Valentine’s Day. Richard Cadbury invented the first Valentines Day candy box in the late 1800s.
❤️ Pet Love: Americans spend an estimated $1 billion on Valentine’s gifts for their pets.