So how much do you know about Valentine's Day? Here are some QI facts about February 14th! - Did you know that Saint Valentine was a Catholic priest in the time of the Roman emperor Claudius II? Claudius was pretty warlike and, concerned that young married men were too keen on family life to enlist in the army, he banned marriage. St Valentine, however, continued to marry young couples and when Claudius heard of this, he threw him into a dungeon where he finally died - and was buried on February 14th.
- Each year about 1000 Valentine's cards are sent to Juliet addressed to the town of Verona where the Shakespearean heroine was said to live.
- The first box of special Valentine's Day chocolates was produced by Richard Cadbury in the 1880s; guess he'd have done well in a nineteenth century Dragon's Den!
- 3% of pet owners get a Valentine for their animal - let's face it, girls, pets stay faithful!
- 50 million roses are given for Valentine's Day - but sadly 15% of American women send flowers to themselves!
- The first Valentine was sent by Charles, Duke of Orleans to his wife from the Tower of London, the first of many as he stayed locked up for 24 years.
- in 1984, Elton John and Renate Blauel (didn't last!)
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| Elton John image at Zimbio |
- in 1991, Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid
- in 1995, Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee
- in 1998, Sharon Stone and Phil Bronstein
- in 2008, Liam Gallagher and Nicole Appleton
- in 1967, Aretha Franklin recorded 'Respect'
- in 1918, 'Tarzan of the Apes' was released
- in 1929, the St Valentine Day Massacre took place in Chicago when 7 rivals of Al Capone were gunned down
- in 1972, the Soviet spacecraft Luna 20 launched into orbit.
And don't miss our Valentine's Day blog post, full of fabulous gift ideas- 14 Gorgeous Gifts For Valentine's Day.
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