Every year, thousands of love letters, flowers and notes are sent across Australia between lovers, partners and friends. Every year 1 billion Valentines are sent world wide. And Every year hundreds of love questions are sent to 199QUERY, from "whats a good date?", "what will he give me on V-Day?" to "whats the origin of Valentines Day?"

The origins Valentines Day are clouded in a haze of mystery and love, but fortunately 199QUERY textperts are at hand to unravel the story.

In Ancient Rome, Lupercalia, was an archaic rite connected to fertility observed February 13 through 15, with a festival arranged in Rome in celebration.

Pope Gelasius I (492-496) abolished Lupercalia, in an attempt to play down the Pagan ritual. In its place he declared February 14 St. Valentine's Day.

St Valentine was a priest who served in Rome, at a time when Emperor Claudius II outlawed marriage for young men. His belief was that young men made excellent soldiers, and excellent soldiers were made of young men who did not have wives and families.

Priest Valentine cried injustice at the decree and defied Claudius by holding marriages for young men in secret. When his actions were discovered, Claudius sentenced him to Death. His Death was Feb 14 at Via Flaminia.

It is said that Valentine sent the first "Valentine" (or love letter) himself, whilst in prison to a girl he fell for.