These fascinating facts about Valentine's Day will put the holiday in a whole new light. 1. St. Valentine wasn't just one person. ©2025 Hearst UK is the trading name of the National Magazine To help you celebrate the occasion, here are ten interesting facts about Valentines Day. From the history of Valentines Day to the oldest love poem! 1. Valentine’s Day is on 14th February every year. Valentine’s Day falls on 14th February every year. It is also known as Saint Valentine’s Day! Valentine’s Day is the most romantic holiday in the whole world. It is mysterious and shrouded in legends and rich history. London, E14 3WA, United Kingdom Tel 4. Commercialisation made Valentine’s Day. Whilst Valentine’s Day has its roots dating back thousands of years, the modern-day popularity of the occasion can be single-handedly credited to the sending of cards. And for that, we have Esther A. Howland of Massachusetts to thank. Howland was the first person to start a successful Valentine's These inclusive trends reflect a modern, diverse approach to the day of love. Fun Facts About Valentine’s Day in the UK. Approximately 25 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged annually in Britain. The UK’s first Valentine’s Day postage stamp was released in 1990, featuring romantic designs. From cheeky cards to ostentatious flower bouquets - Valentine's Day may be cheesy, but there's no doubt many people love it. The day dedicated to love always falls on February 14, and this year it It's true! Wales actually celebrates St. Dwynwen's Day, the country's own version of Valentine's Day, on 25th January. St. Dwynwen was a Welsh princess who was so unlucky in love that she became a By the early 1910s, an American company that would one day become Hallmark began distributing its more official "Valentine's Day cards." Universal Images Group / Getty Images A Valentine’s Day postcard from 1910. The origins of Valentine's Day. One story of the origins of Valentines Day comes from the time of the Roman Empire, under the rule of Emperor Claudius the Second. Rome was involved in many bloody and unpopular military campaigns. Claudius the Cruel, as he was known at the time, was having a difficult time getting soldiers to join his military The day was officially named as St Valentine’s Day in 496 AD by Pope Gelasius, back then though, it was a Christian feast day rather than a day about romantic love. That didn’t start until the 1300s and was inspired by the writer, Geoffrey Chaucer, however, records show that the oldest surviving Valentine’s card was sent by Charles, the A lace paper Valentine by Esther Howland, circa 1855. | Heritage Images/Getty Images. If you were in the market for a store-bought valentine in the mid-19th century, you were probably left 30 Fun Valentine's Day Facts About the Holiday's History. Including the true origin story behind how Cupid came to be. By Cameron Jenkins and Lilli Iannella Updated: Dec 9, 2024. Valentine’s Day is an annual festival to celebrate romance, love, friendship and admiration. Here’s some fun facts about Valentine’s Day. 1. When did Valentine’s Day start? There’s many stories to where Valentine’s Day originated from, but one of the most popular stories dates back to 270 A.D during the reign of Roman Emperor Valentine's Day also doubles as Singles Awareness Day in many countries. In China, however, it is celebrated on Nov 11 and singletons are known for treating themselves to some online shopping. The date has been dubbed China's 'Black Friday.' South Korea takes Valentine's Day celebrations to another level with a love-related day on the 14th of every month. April's "Black Day" is for singles to commiserate over bowls of black bean-paste noodles. Surprising Valentine's Day Facts. Teachers receive the most Valentine's Day cards, followed by children, mothers, and wives. It has roots in an ancient pagan festival - Although some historians believe that Valentine's Day commemorates the death of St. Valentine on February 14, others believe that the holiday actually has its origins in a pagan fertility festival called Lupercalia, which was celebrated between February 13 and 15 in ancient Rome. The Historical Origins of Valentine's Day in the UK. Valentine's Day, now synonymous with love and affection, has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. The traditions and customs associated with this day have evolved over the years, influenced by a combination of pagan rituals and Christian beliefs. Fun fact: Almost 75% of all people who buy flowers on Valentine’s Day are men and over 50 million roses are given each year on this day. Cards, gifts and champagne Most people take this holiday very seriously and put a lot of thought in planning a spectacular night out or a romantic getaway . Valentine’s Day Greetings and Gifts. In addition to the United States, Valentine’s Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France and Australia. In Great Britain, Valentine Durex have reported that sales of condoms are 20-30% higher around Valentine's Day. 10. Valentine's Day was once banned in the UK. Oliver Cromwell banned Valentine's Day celebrations (as well as
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