Valentine's Day: What it is really about by

Fact

gracie_jaimes — 2015-12-01 16:57:50 UTC

More than 62% of Americans celebrate Valentine's day with greeting cards, flowers, candy, gifts, and romantic dinners.

Chocolates are number one selling gift to give to celbrate this holiday with greeting cards coming in at number two and jewlery at number three.

gracie_jaimes — 2015-12-01 16:59:14 UTC

The roots of this holiday date back to an ancient Roman fertility festival called Lupercalia celebrated in mid-February.

Later, the Christian church chose mid-February as Saint Valentine's day in order to "Christianize" the event.

gracie_jaimes — 2015-12-01 17:03:27 UTC

Saint Valentine's real identity is unknown. Many Christian saints were named Valentine

gracie_jaimes — 2015-12-01 17:05:55 UTC

Back then, people believed that February 14th marked bird's mating season.

gracie_jaimes — 2015-12-01 17:07:39 UTC

Americans spend almost $20 million on Valentine's day.

gracie_jaimes — 2015-12-01 17:10:38 UTC

In Roman mythology, Cupid is the son of Venus, the goddess of love and beauty.

In ancient Greece, Cupid was known as Eros, the young son of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty.

gracie_jaimes — 2015-12-01 17:11:51 UTC

This holiday is named after ONE person named Saint Valentine.

gracie_jaimes — 2015-12-01 17:15:52 UTC

Flowers are the number one gift to give to celebrate this holiday.

gracie_jaimes — 2015-12-01 17:19:56 UTC

This holiday originates from a Saint named Valentine who was priest that married couples.

gracie_jaimes — 2015-12-01 17:25:34 UTC

People believe Cupid is a symbol of Valentine's Day. He is a baby armed with a bow and arrows to pierce people's hearts and make them fall in love.

gracie_jaimes — 2015-12-01 17:27:22 UTC

It is a holiday only celebrated in the U.S.

gracie_jaimes — 2015-12-01 17:27:38 UTC

In addition to the U.S., Valentine's Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, Australia, Denmark, Italy and Japan.