http://www.history.com/photos/valentines-day From cupid, to chocolate, to candy hearts, explore images of Valentine's Day and learn some funfacts about this romantic holiday. en Copyright 2013, History.com Wed, 19 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT History.com 2013-06-19T04:00:00Z en Copyright 2013, History.com http://www.history.com/photos/valentines-day/photo1 Valentine's Day is celebrated around the world on February 14th. Though its history is not entirely known, it is most likely Roman in origin, and may find its roots in martyred lovers and spring festivals. http://www.history.com/photos/valentines-day/photo1 http://www.history.com/photos/valentines-day/photo2 Roses are a popular gift for a loved one on Valentine's Day. Flower sales number in the hundreds of millions in the United States, and in 2006, almost 98,373 people were employed in US flower shops. http://www.history.com/photos/valentines-day/photo2 http://www.history.com/photos/valentines-day/photo3 A conveyor carries piles of the Valentine's Day favorite "conversation hearts" at the NECCO candy factory in 1996. In 2007, the per capita consumption of candy by Americans was 24.5 pounds each year. http://www.history.com/photos/valentines-day/photo3 http://www.history.com/photos/valentines-day/photo4 This 350 pound chocolate heart was prepared for the American Heart Association on Valentine's Day, 1990. It measured seven feet tall and five inches deep. http://www.history.com/photos/valentines-day/photo4 http://www.history.com/photos/valentines-day/photo5 A Valentine's Day postcard from around 1909. Valentine's messages first appeared in the 1500s, and cards were first commercially printed in the late 1700s. http://www.history.com/photos/valentines-day/photo5 http://www.history.com/photos/valentines-day/photo6 Children's Valentine's Day cards are displayed in front of a blackboard at a school in New York City, 1996. Over 180 million Valentine's Day cards are exchanged anually. http://www.history.com/photos/valentines-day/photo6 http://www.history.com/photos/valentines-day/photo7 An ancient god of love, Cupid is often portrayed as an infant who shoots arrows that cause people to fall in love. http://www.history.com/photos/valentines-day/photo7 http://www.history.com/photos/valentines-day/photo8 There were about 2.2 million marriages in the United States in 2007. 126,354 took place in Nevada. http://www.history.com/photos/valentines-day/photo8