Today, February 14, Nigerians and people around the world celebrate Valentine’s Day, a holiday widely recognized as a celebration of love and romance.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

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Today, February 14, Nigerians and people around the world celebrate Valentine’s Day, a holiday widely recognized as a celebration of love and romance.

Every year, children and adults alike shower friends and loved ones with gifts ranging from heartfelt cards and chocolates to long-stemmed red roses, fine jewelry, and more.

While often criticized as a commercial holiday, Valentine’s Day is much more than just a Hallmark-inspired occasion.

Naija News notes that despite its popularity, many people are still unaware of the deeper history and fascinating facts behind the celebration. Here are 12 things you probably didn’t know about Valentine’s Day:

1. It has dark origins
Historians trace Valentine’s Day back to Ancient Rome’s pagan fertility festival, Lupercalia, which involved animal sacrifices and rituals where women were whipped with animal skins to symbolize fertility.

2. It became associated with love in the 1300s
The holiday was Christianized, and mid-February was chosen because many believed birds began mating then—hence the association with doves and romance.

3. Saint Valentine wasn’t just one person
The holiday’s most famous figure defied Emperor Claudius II, who banned marriage for young soldiers. Valentine secretly married couples and, after his death, young couples honored him with flowers and cards. Several other historical figures also carried the name Valentine, including a pope who served only 40 days in 827 A.D.

4. Valentines began in the 15th century
Cards and letters became common in the 17th century, but mass-produced Valentine’s cards didn’t appear until the 1840s.

5. It’s a major industry
About 55% of Americans celebrate Valentine’s Day, spending roughly $18.2 billion annually, including $1.7 billion on candy alone. On average, men spend $150, while women spend $74.

6. Flowers are the most popular gift
Followed by chocolate and jewelry, Americans send over 220 million roses each year, and about six million couples get engaged on February 14. (February ranks second only to December for proposals.)

7. The first heart-shaped box of chocolates debuted in 1868
Today, over 36 million boxes are sold each year, totaling 58 million pounds of chocolate.

8. Necco Sweethearts, or conversation hearts, were invented in 1866
Each box contains roughly 45 messages like “True Love,” “Hug Me,” and “You Rock,” with about 10 new sayings added annually.

9. Over 8 billion conversation hearts are produced yearly
Necco begins production shortly after February 14 to prepare for the following year. That’s nearly 100,000 pounds per day, and leftover hearts can last up to five years.

10. Condom sales spike in February
Sales increase by 20–30% around Valentine’s Day, and more at-home pregnancy tests are purchased in March than any other month.

11. Lace is a common decoration
The word comes from the Latin lacques, meaning “to snare” or “to catch”—symbolically, to capture someone’s heart.

12. Valentine’s Day is celebrated differently worldwide
In many Latin American countries, it’s called el día de los enamorados (day of lovers) or día del amor y la amistad (day of love and friendship).