Did You Know?
Facts, Figures & Folklore
About Valentine’s Day
Feb. 02 : 12 Days to V’Day

Did you know that, according to one legend, Valentine’s Day was inspired by Saint Valentine, a Roman saint who was executed on February 14th, 270 A.D.?

St. Valentine was killed for secretly marrying couples in defiance of an order of the Roman emperor. The emperor had forbidden marriage after Roman men began refusing conscription in order to stay home with their wives.

February 14th is Valentines Day – a worldwide celebration of love and romance, marked by giving red roses and chocolate hearts or by sending valentines. Join us as we present a new “Did You Know?” fun fact each day as we countdown to Valentine’s Day, the day of love!

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Groundhog Day
Folklore has it that if a groundhog sees its shadow today there will be 6 more weeks of winter. If not, and we’re lucky, it’ll be an early spring.

…the European Celts believed that animals had certain supernatural powers on special days that were half-way between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. Folklore from Germany and France indicated that when marmots and bears came out of their winter dens too early, they were frightened by their shadow and retreated back inside for four to six weeks*…

Another possible inspiration for Groundhog Day is the Roman celebration of Hedgehog Day. A day in which Romans believed a hedgehog seeing its shadow would also forecast 6 more weeks of winter.

UPDATE: Punxsutawney Phil has seen his shadow this morning. 6 more weeks of winter.

Famous US groundhogs: Punxsutawney Phil, Staten Island Chuck, Wiarton Willie, Shubenacadie Sam and General Beauregard Lee

*source: wikipedia: Groundhog Day