Fun Facts about Valentine’s Day

Pink Hearts… red roses… the perfect day to show that special someone how much you really care. How did they come up with a day dedicated to love and romance anyway?

The beginnings of St. Valentine's Day go back to the Roman fertility festival of Lupercalia. On Lupercalia, a young man would draw the name of a young woman in a lottery and would then keep the woman as a companion for the year. The rest is, shall we say, history. 

Here are some other fun facts about Valentine’s Day:

• In Victorian times it was considered bad luck to sign a Valentine's Day card.
• While 75% of chocolate purchases all year long are made by women, during the days and minutes before Valentine's Day, 75% of chocolate purchases are made by men.
• An average person spends two whole weeks of his or her life kissing.
• About 3% of pet owners give Valentine's Day gifts to their pets.
• Chocolate has been used as a gift since the days of the Aztecs, who believed it to be a source of spiritual wisdom and energy. It was used as a nuptial aid and served at wedding ceremonies.
• Amnat Puttigo from Pattaya, Thailand, won a "Ripley's Believe It or Not" by holding his wife in his arms for 10 hours, 49 minutes, and 15 seconds in a Valentine's Day Contest!

So, there you have it. Have a safe and happy Valentine’s Day.