^{The first valentines appeared in the 15th century.} The earliest known valentine is a poem written by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife in 1415, while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London.

^{Mass production of valentines began in the 19th century.}

Thanks to the development of printing, valentines became more accessible, and the tradition of exchanging them became widespread.

^{Red roses are a symbol of love thanks to Greek mythology.}According to legend, red roses grew from the ground, soaked in the blood of Aphrodite, who injured her leg while rushing to her beloved Adonis.

^{У Японії День святого Валентина — це день, коли жінки дарують шоколад чоловікам.} And a month later, on March 14, on White Day, men give gifts in return to those women who gave them something.

^{In some countries, Valentine's Day is banned.} For example, in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, celebrating this day is considered unacceptable.

^{Valentine's Day is one of the most commercial holidays.} Billions of dollars are spent every year on gifts, flowers, and other attributes of this holiday.

Valentine’s Day, celebrated on February 14th, is a day dedicated to love and affection. Couples exchange gifts, chocolates, flowers, and heartfelt messages to express their feelings for one another. While traditionally associated with romantic love, the holiday has also become an occasion to appreciate friends, family, and even oneself.

The origins of Valentine's Day are linked to Saint Valentine, a Roman priest who defied Emperor Claudius II’s ban on marriages by secretly uniting lovers. Over time, the day evolved into a global celebration of love, marked by romantic gestures and thoughtful surprises.

Whether through grand declarations or simple acts of kindness, Valentine’s Day serves as a reminder to cherish and express love in all its forms.

Saint Valentine Mystery – There were multiple saints named Valentine, but one legend suggests that Saint Valentine was a priest who secretly married couples in defiance of Emperor Claudius II’s ban on marriages for young men.

First Valentine’s Note – The first known Valentine’s message was sent by Charles, Duke of Orleans, in 1415 while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London. He wrote a romantic poem to his wife.

The Role of Shakespeare – William Shakespeare helped popularize Valentine’s Day through his plays, such as Hamlet, where Ophelia refers to herself as Valentine’s sweetheart.

Millions of Cards – Around 145 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged each year worldwide, making it the second most popular card-sending holiday after Christmas.

Roses and Love – Red roses symbolize love and romance because they were the favorite flower of Venus, the Roman goddess of love.

Lovebirds and Doves – Doves are often associated with love and Valentine’s Day because they mate for life and symbolize loyalty and devotion.

"X" Means Kiss – The tradition of signing love letters with an "X" dates back to the Middle Ages, when people who couldn’t write signed their names with an "X" and kissed it as a sign of sincerity.

Biggest Valentine's Gift? – The Taj Mahal in India is considered the ultimate Valentine's gift. It was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.

Pet Love – In the U.S., about 27 million people give Valentine’s Day gifts to their pets!