Facts about St. Valentine's Day

The oldest known valentine still in existence today was a poem written by Charles, Duke of Orleans to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt. The greeting, which was written in 1415, is part of the manuscript collection of the British Library in London. St. Valentine's Day Facts

Approximately 25% of individual valentine cards are humorous, with adults aged 35-and-under being the most likely to send humorous cards. St. Valentine's Day Facts

Red is the most popular color choice for valentine cards, follow by pink and then white. Hearts, roses, Cupid and lace are traditional valentine card icons. St. Valentine's Day Facts

In Germany, girls would plant onions in a pot on Valentine's Day, and next to the onions, they placed the name of a boy. They believed they would marry the boy whose name was nearest the first onion to grow St. Valentine's Day Facts

In Japan and Korea, it is the women who give Valentine's gifts, with men reciprocating a month later. St. Valentine's Day Facts

Three precent of pet owners buy Valentines gifts for their animals, a study found. St. Valentine's Day Facts

A billion valentines cards are sent globally each year, a number exceeded only by Christmas St. Valentine's Day Facts

In 1537, King Henry VII declared 14 February as a holiday for Saint Valentine's Day St. Valentine's Day Facts

In Finland Valentine's Day is called which means "Friend's Day". As the name suggests, this day is more about remembering friends than romance St. Valentine's Day Facts

It was traditionally thought that birds would chose their mate for the coming year on 14th February. St. Valentine's Day Facts

As well as lovers, Saint Valentine is the patron saint of fainting, greeting card manufacturers, plague and repentant young thieves. St. Valentine's Day Facts