History.com and Column Five recently paired up to deliver an accounting of Valentine’s Day by the Numbers. Approximately 62% of adults say they celebrate Valentine’s Day. Read below to discover the history of the most romantic day of the year, and find out just how much sparkling wine, chocolate and candy Americans purchase in its honor.

Looking back to as far as Ancient Rome, Lupercalia, a fertility festival, is celebrated in February. But it wasn’t until the 1300s that Saint Valentine’s Day becomes associated with love and romance.

Unlike at the turn of the 14th century, American’s alone spend nearly half a billion dollars on items related to celebrating this special day. 58 million pounds of chocolate is bought during Valentine’s Day week. In fact, 5% of the chocolate sold in America is given on Valentine’s Day. (This amount is only trumped by Halloween sales.)

Apparently it’s true that the way to one’s heart is through their stomach, because in addition to chocolates, American’s buy 174,000 gallons of sparkling wine, and spend $8.6 million dollars for the bubbly.

You can read more about this special day by reviewing the infographic below.

http://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day/history-of-valentines-day/interactives/valentines-day-by-the-numbers