14 things you didn't know about valentine

14 Things you didn't know about  Valentine

In 1537, King Henry VII officially declared Feb. 14 the holiday of St. Valentine’s Day. Since then, it has become one of the biggest holidays celebrated in the United States, as well as in other countries.

With that in mind, here are 14 facts about the day dedicated to love:

1. The most popular myth of Valentine’s Day is the story of St. Valentine. There was a priest who defied the law of Roman Emperor Claudius II, who made it illegal for men to marry their girlfriends.

Valentine performed secret marriages for the young couples, but eventually he was arrested. He was beheaded on Feb. 14 in 296 B.C., hence the date of celebration.

2.  In Victorian times, it was bad luck to sign a Valentine’s Day card.

3. About three percent of pet owners will give Valentine’s Day gifts to their pets.

4. Girls of Medieval times ate bizarre foods on Valentine’s Day to make them dream of their future spouse.

5.  During the Middle Ages, young people drew names from a bowl to see who would be their Valentine. They would then wear the name on their sleeves for a week. This was the origin of the phrase, “To wear your heart on your sleeve.”

6. Physicians of the 1800s commonly advised their patients to eat chocolate to calm their pining for lost love.

7. More than 35 million heart-shaped chocolate boxes will be sold for Valentine’s Day.

8. Valentine’s Day is a big day for procrastinators because more than 50 percent of all cards are bought in the six days leading up to the holiday.

9. 189 million stems of roses are sold in the U.S the day of.

10. Verona, Italy, receives about 1,000 letters addressed to Juliet each year. Verona is where the namesakes of William Shakespeare’s famous play lived.

11. Men pay about $130 on candy, cards, jewelry, flowers and dates for Valentine’s Day. This is more than double what women spend.

12.  It is said that if you see a goldfinch on Valentine’s Day, you will marry a millionaire.

13.  A superstition says that if you find a glove on the road on Valentine’s Day, your future betrothed will have the matching glove.

14.  On Valentine’s Day, the first name you read or hear is the name of the one you will marry. Singles commonly celebrate Singles Awareness Day on Feb. 14, but don’t worry, Feb. 15 is half-priced candy day.