Fun facts about Feb. 14

Taylor Grace, Staff writer|February 10, 2014

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  • More than 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate are sold for Valentine’s Day.
  • Last year, 14 percent of women sent themselves flowers on Valentine’s Day.
  • Last year, 53 percent of women said they would end their relationship if they didn’t receive a gift.
  • 11,000 is the average number of children conceived on Valentine’s Day.
  • Hallmark produced its first valentine in 1913.
  • In Japan and South Korea, the women are expected to spoil their men on Valentine’s Day.
  • In Finland and Estonia, Valentine’s Day is a celebration of friendship rather than romance.
  • In 2013, The National Retail Federation estimates that U.S. consumers will spend $18.6 billion on this holiday.
  • The first “chocolate box” was introduced in 1868.
  • Pope Gelasius I named February 14 as St. Valentine’s Day in 496 A.D.
  • Over 40,000 Americans are employed at chocolate factories.
  • February is the second most popular month to propose.
  • Last year, 20 percent of people planned to buy a Valentine’s Day gift for their pets.
  • In the 1920’s, cards weren’t shaped like hearts; they were in the shape of a tomato. Back then, tomatoes were known as “love apples”.
  • In the United Kingdom, Brits write sonnets and verses for each other along with exchanging cards.
  • In China, Valentine’s Day is on the 7 day of the 7 lunar month on the Chinese calendar.
  • Also in China, couples visit a temple named “Temple of Matchmaker” and pray for happiness and future marriage. The singles of China also visit the temple and pray to find love.
  • Surprisingly, teachers receive more Valentine’s Day cards than anyone else.
  • The 2010 romantic comedy Valentine’s Day earned $52.4 million during its first weekend in theaters.
  • On February 14, 2001, 34 couples from 22 countries exchanged wedding vows ten meters underwater near Kradan Island in Southern Thailand. This currently holds the Guinness World Record for the most number of couples married simultaneously underwater.
  • A kiss on Valentine’s Day is said to bring good luck all year.
  • The largest chocolate bar mosaic on the Guinness World Records was made in Switzerland during February 14, 2011. It is 18.35 meters long and made with 1,500 bars of white chocolate and red-colored white chocolate.
  • 57 percent of people said they prefer to cook at home or order in, rather than going out on Valentine’s Day.
  • On a survey done by CreditDonkey, 22.2 percent of female respondents want to receive jewelry, yet only 18.9 percent of male respondents plan to give jewelry this year.
  • On a survey done by CreditDonkey 41.2 percent of male respondents plan to give chocolates, only 34.5 percent of female respondents want chocolate this year.
  • Once believed, if a woman saw a flying sparrow on Valentine’s Day she would marry a man that was poor, if she saw a robin, she would marry a sailor, if she saw a goldfinch, she would marry a man that was a millionaire.