There are many opinions as to who was the original Valentine, with
the most popular theory that it was a clergyman who was executed for
secretly marrying couples in ancient Rome. In any event, in 496 A.D.,
Pope Gelasius set aside Feb. 14 to honor St. Valentine. Through the
centuries, the Christian holiday became a time to exchange love messages
and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. In the 1840s,
Esther Howland, a native of Massachusetts, is given credit for sending
the first valentine cards. The spirit of love continues as valentines
are sent with sentimental verses and children exchange valentine cards
at school.
Candy is Dandy
1,241
Number of locations producing chocolate and cocoa products in 2004.
These establishments employed 43,322 people. California led the nation
in the number of such establishments with 136, followed by Pennsylvania
with 122. <http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/cbptotal.html>
515
Number of locations that produced nonchocolate confectionary products
in 2004. These establishments employed 22,234 people. <http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/cbptotal.html>
$13.9 billion
Total value of shipments in 2004 for firms producing chocolate and
cocoa products. Nonchocolate confectionery product manufacturing,
meanwhile, was a $5.7 billion industry. <http://www.census.gov/mcd/asm-as1.html>
3,467
Number of confectionery and nut stores in the United States in 2004;
they are among the best sources of sweets for Valentine’s Day.
<http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/cbptotal.html>
25.7 pounds
Per capita consumption of candy by Americans in 2005. <http://www.census.gov/cir/www/311/ma311d.html>
Flowers
$397 million
The combined wholesale value of domestically produced cut flowers
in 2005 for all flower-producing operations with $100,000 or more
in sales. Among states, California was the leading producer, alone
accounting for about three-quarters of this amount ($289 million).
<http://www.nass.usda.gov>
$39 million
The combined wholesale value of domestically produced cut roses in
2005 for all operations with $100,000 or more in sales. Among all
types of cut flowers, roses were third in receipts ($39 million) to
lilies ($76.9 million) and tulips ($39.1 million). <http://www.nass.usda.gov>
21,667
The number of florists nationwide in 2004. These businesses employed
109,915 people. <http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/cbptotal.html>
Jewelry
28,772
Number of jewelry stores in the United States in 2004. Jewelry stores
offer engagement, wedding and other rings to lovers of all ages. In
February 2006, these stores sold $2.6 billion worth of merchandise.
(This figure has not been adjusted for seasonal variation, holiday
or trading day differences or price changes.) <http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/cbptotal.html>
<http://www.census.gov/mrts/www/mrts.html>
The merchandise at these locations could well have been produced
at one of the nation’s 1,864 jewelry manufacturing establishments.
The manufacture of jewelry and silverware was a $9 billion industry
in 2004. <http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/cbptotal.html>
<http://www.census.gov/mcd/asm-as1.html>
Be Mine
2.2 million
The number of marriages that take place in the United States annually.
That breaks down to more than 6,000 a day. <http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/pubs/pubd/nvsr/54/54-20.htm>
147,300
The number of marriages performed in Nevada during 2005. So many couples
tie the knot in the Silver State that it ranked fourth nationally
in marriages, even though its total population that year among states
was 35th.
<http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/pubs/pubd/nvsr/54/54-20.htm>
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/006142.html>
25.3 and 27.1
The estimated U.S. median ages at first marriage for women and men,
respectively, in 2005. The age for women rose 4.2 years in the last
three decades. The age for men at first marriage is up 3.6 years.
<http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/hh-fam.html>
57% and 60%
The percentages of American women and men, respectively, who are 18
or older and currently married (includes those who are separated).
<http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/hh-fam/cps2005.html>
72%
Percentage of men and women ages 30 to 34 in 2005 who had been married
at some point in their lives – either currently or formerly.
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/families_households/006840.html>
4.9 million
Number of opposite-sex cohabitating couples who maintained households
in 2005. These couples comprised 4.3 percent of all households.
<http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/hh-fam/cps2005.html>
Looking for Love
119
Number of single men (i.e., never married, widowed or divorced) who
are in their 20s for every 100 single women of the same ages.
<http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/hh-fam/cps2005.html>
34
Number of single men (i.e., never married, widowed or divorced) age
65 or older for every 100 single women of the same ages.
<http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/hh-fam/cps2005.html>
904
The number of dating service establishments nationwide as of 2002.
These establishments, which include Internet dating services, employed
nearly 4,300 people and pulled in $489 million in revenues. <http://www.census.gov/econ/census02/guide/SUBSUMM.HTM>
Try Looking Here . . .
Below are names of some romantic-sounding places:
Valentine, Neb. |
Loving County, Texas |
Valentine, Texas |
Lovington, N.M. |
Loveland, Colo. |
Loving, N.M. |
Lovejoy, Ga. |
Love County, Okla. |
Loves Park, Ill. |
Lovington, Ill. |
Lovelock, Nev. |
Romeo, Colo. |
Love Valley, N.C. |
Romeo, Mich. |
Loveland, Ohio |
Romeoville, Ill. |
Loveland Park, Ohio |
Sacred Heart, Minn. |
Loveland, Okla. |
Heart Butte, Mont. |
Lovelady, Texas |
South Heart, N.D. |
21
Number of places named “rose.” The red rose has long been
a symbol of romantic love. Rose Hill, Va., is the most populous, with
more than 15,000 residents.
(Source: American FactFinder)