7 Things You Didn't Know About Valentine’s Day

In this decadent day and age where a cup of coffee is a major component of the food pyramid, something else reigns supreme: our generation’s enthusiasm for all things related to love. We love the idea of love, being in love, and celebrating love. Saint Valentine’s Day is one of the most important days for making our loved one(s) feel extra special.

But despite the spending we do, what else do we know about this most-awaited February holiday? Here are seven fascinating facts:

1. The first valentine was written from prison in 1415.
   The Duke of Orléans wrote a message to his wife while imprisoned in the Tower of London. He addressed her as his “Valentine.”
2. Cupid was originally a Greek god.
   The original Cupid was Eros, the handsome and sometimes sinister son of Aphrodite. As noted in Time Magazine, he was a "cosmic force for bringing things together."
3. The Mother of American Valentine.
   Esther Howland commercialized Valentine’s cards in the US after graduating from Mount Holyoke College. Her cards featured a red "H" on the back.
4. The first heart-shaped chocolate box.
   In 1868, Richard Cadbury—son of founder John Cadbury—marketed the first heart-shaped box of chocolates to boost sales for the holiday.
5. Letters to Verona.
   Each year, thousands of letters addressed to "Juliet" are sent to Italy. The Juliet Club secretaries choose the most moving letter to receive the "Cara Giulietta" prize.
6. "Wearing your heart on your sleeve" was literal.
   In ancient Rome, men would draw names of women to be their partners for the year and wear those names on their sleeves during celebrations.
7. Official declaration in 496 A.D.
   Pope Gelasius I proclaimed February 14 an official festival. It wasn't until the Middle Ages that it became the romantic holiday we know today.