Valentines Day Facts. Valentine's Day began in 270 AD when the Roman Emperor Claudius II, didn't want men to marry during wartime because he believed single men made better soldiers. When Bishop Valentine went against his wishes and performed secret wedding ceremonies, he was jailed and later executed on February 14th. In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their valentines would be. They would wear these names on their sleeves for one week. To wear your heart on your sleeve now means that it is easy for other people to know how you are feeling. In addition to the United States, Valentine's Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, France, Australia, Denmark, and Italy. Behind Christmas, Valentine's Day is the single largest seasonal card sending occasion. Teachers receive the most Valentine's Day cards, followed by children, mothers, wives, and then, sweethearts. Teachers receive the most Valentine's Day cards, followed by children, mothers, wives, and then, sweethearts. Women purchase approximately 85 percent of all Valentines. The red rose was the favorite flower of Venus, the Roman goddess of love. The color red stands for strong romantic feelings making the red rose the flower of love. 73% of flowers bought on Valentines Day are purchased by men, while women only contribute to the other 37% Worldwide, over 50 million roses are given for Valentine\'s Day each year. Over $1 billion worth of chocolate is purchased for Valentine\'s Day in the U.S. More than 35 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate will be sold for Valentine's Day. Each year the city of Verona Italy receives more than 1000 valentines addressed to Shakespeare?s Juliet. More than 9 million pet owners buy gifts for their pets for Valentine?s day. It is estimated that 15% of the women in the United States who receive flowers for Valentine?s day send them to themselves.