FEBRUARY 2006 P2 MONEY QUIZ ANSWERS

1. In history, there were three Saint Valentines. One was a priest in Rome, the second was a bishop of Interamna (modern Terni), and the third was a martyr in the Roman province of Africa.

2. Ancient Romans held the feast of Lupercalia on February 15. Later, the customs changed to honor Saint Valentine, so the date was changed to February 14.

3. 85% of Valentine's Day cards are purchased by women, according to the Greeting Card Association.

4. Approximately 1 billion Valentine's Day cards are sent each year.

5. The first known Valentine's Day card was sent in 1415. It was written by Charles, Duke of Orleans to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London.

6. Cupid’s mother was Venus, the goddess of love and beauty

7. People in England started celebrating Valentine's Day in the 15th century (1446).

8. Valentine's Day become commonly observed in the USA during the Civil War.

9. Oregon and Arizona joined the Union on Valentine's Day. Oregon (#33) joined in 1859 and Arizona (#48) joined in 1912.

10. The most notorious Valentine's Day was in Chicago in 1929 between two infamous rival gangs. Members of Al Capone's gang planned to kill Bugs Moran. It is now known as the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre.

BONUS. St. Valentine's Day is mentioned in the Shakespeare play Hamlet. Ophelia sings, “To-morrow is Saint Valentine's day, All in the morning betime, And I a maid at your window, To be your Valentine.”