<P> In most Latin American countries, for example, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, Saint Valentine's Day is known as Día de los Enamorados (day of lovers) or as Día del Amor y la Amistad (Day of Love and Friendship). It is also common to see people perform "acts of appreciation" for their friends . In Guatemala it is known as the "Día del Cariño" (Affection Day). Some countries, in particular the Dominican Republic and El Salvador, have a tradition called Amigo secreto ("Secret friend"), which is a game similar to the Christmas tradition of Secret Santa . </P> <P> In Brazil, the Dia dos Namorados (lit . "Lovers' Day", or "Boyfriends' / Girlfriends' Day") is celebrated on June 12, probably because that is the day before Saint Anthony's day, known there as the marriage saint, when traditionally many single women perform popular rituals, called simpatias, in order to find a good husband or boyfriend . Couples exchange gifts, chocolates, cards, and flower bouquets . The February 14 Valentine's Day is not celebrated at all because it usually falls too little before or too little after the Brazilian Carnival--that can fall anywhere from early February to early March and lasts almost a week . Because of the absence of Valentine's Day and due to the celebrations of the Carnivals, Brazil was recommended by U.S. News & World Report as a tourist destination during February for Western singles who want to get away from the holiday . </P> <P> Colombia celebrates Día del amor y la amistad on the third Saturday in September instead . Amigo Secreto is also popular there . </P> <P> In the United States, about 190 million Valentine's Day cards are sent each year, not including the hundreds of millions of cards school children exchange . </P>

When was valentines day declared an official holiday