Jewelry stores offer engagement, wedding and other rings to couples of all ages. By the late 18th century, printers began selling commercially-produced Valentine’s Day cards. These establishments employed 19,198 people. Table A1, Percentage of people 15 and older in 2013 who had been married at some point in their lives — either currently or formerly. Now, about a billion valentines are exchanged every year in the United States. Other people say that the Valentine behind the holiday was a bishop from Terni, Italy who secretly performed marriages forbidden by the emperor. Source: National Center for Health Statistics, Sep 17, 2020 - Explore Andrea Hamlin's board "February 14", followed by 722 people on Pinterest. The spirit continues today with even young children exchanging valentine's cards with their fellow classmates. These establishments, which include Internet dating services, employed 3,125 people and pulled in $928 million in revenue. The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. He is often pictured as an infant with wings, a bow, and a quiver of magical arrows. Questions or comments should be directed to the Census Bureau’s Public Information Office: telephone: 301-763-3030; or e-mail: pio@census.gov. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, NAICS code (4531) Valentine greetings were popular as far back as the Middle Ages, though written Valentine’s didn’t begin to appear until after 1400. Every February 14, across the world, candy, flowers and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. (The greeting is now part of the manuscript collection of the British Library in London, England.) In Roman mythology, Cupid is the son of the goddess of love, Venus. It was not until much later, however, that the day became definitively associated with love. These matches often ended in marriage. Lovers were exchanging all the customary tokens of love, such as flowers and candy by the 18th century. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. Now, about a billion valentines … When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. Lupercalia survived the initial rise of Christianity and but was outlawed—as it was deemed “un-Christian”–at the end of the 5th century, when Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine’s Day. Several years later, it is believed that King Henry V hired a writer named John Lydgate to compose a valentine note to Catherine of Valois. Source: 2012 American Community Survey Far from being fearful, Roman women welcomed the touch of the hides because it was believed to make them more fertile in the coming year. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, NAICS code (339911),