In the 19th century, chocolate was considered a luxury item and was relatively expensive. However, as manufacturing processes improved and the price of chocolate decreased, it became more accessible to the general public.

The first chocolate factory in the United States was established by Conrad Van Houten in the 1828, making it easier for people to purchase chocolate.

In the late 1800s, candy companies began to capitalize on the growing popularity of chocolate by marketing it as a gift for Valentine’s Day. These early Valentine’s Day chocolates were often packaged in heart-shaped boxes, which helped to further establish the association between chocolate and the holiday.

It was also around that time that the industrial revolution made it possible to produce chocolate in mass quantities and chocolate makers began to experiment with new forms and flavors of chocolate.

By the early 20th century, Valentine’s Day chocolates had become a major industry, with many companies competing to produce the most creative and appealing chocolate gifts. The tradition of giving chocolates to loved ones on Valentine’s Day has continued to this day and it’s considered as a romantic and thoughtful gift.

The New York Yankees have reached an agreement on a new, multi-year contract with first baseman Anthony Rizzo.

Anthony Rizzo truly enjoyed being a Yankee, and getting $20 million a year to stay — $17 million each of the next two years, plus a $6 million buyout on a 2025 option will keep him in the Bronx.

Rizzo, who was acquired by the Yankees from the Chicago Cubs prior to the 2021 trade deadline, was one of the team’s most consistent hitters during the postseason, leading all players with eight RBIs and a .432 on base percentage, as well as finishing second behind only Harrison Bader with eight total hits and two home runs, which tied Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.

Rizzo had previously signed a two-year, $32 million deal with the Yankees last offseason, which included an opt out after the first year, allowing him to test free agency this offseason.

The Parkland, Florida native hit a career best 32 home runs — a feat he accomplished three times (2014, 2016, 2017) with the Cubs — and 75 RBIs in 130 games.

Domino’s is electrifying their pizza delivery game with more than 100 custom-branded 2023 Chevy Bolt electric vehicles arriving at select franchise and corporate stores throughout the US, and an additional 700 rolling out in the coming months.

To help make it happen, Domino’s is teaming up with Enterprise Fleet Management, which will offer local hands-on account management, vehicle acquisition, financing, telematics solutions and maintenance for the electric delivery fleet.

To celebrate the arrival of the new electric vehicle fleet, Domino’s is launching two Chevy Bolt EV giveaways, which offer fans the chance to win one of two 2023 Chevy Bolt EVs.

Founded in 1960, Domino’s Pizza is the largest pizza company in the world, with a significant business in both delivery and carryout pizza. It ranks among the world’s top public restaurant brands with a global enterprise of more than 19,500 stores in over 90 markets. 

Dairy Queen serves up festive flavors for the new season with the arrival of the new Frosted Sugar Cookie Blizzard alongside the returning fan-favorite peppermint Candy Cane Chill Blizzard.

The new Frosted Sugar Cookie Blizzard features soft sugar cookie pieces and icing with festive sprinkles blended with the brand’s signature vanilla soft serve.

The fan-favorite Candy Cane Chill Blizzard blends candy cane pieces and choco chunks with vanilla soft serve.

You can find both seasonal holiday-inspired Blizzard flavors at participating DQ locations nationwide.

Tom Brady is hanging up his cleats — for good.

In an emotional message posted on Instagram, the 45-year-old quarterback confirmed that he is ending his prolific NFL career after 23 seasons, the final three of which were spent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This comes one year after he was rushed into retirement by news leaks and then changed his mind 40 days later.

“Hey guys I’ll get to the point right away. I’m retiring. For good,” Brady said in a 53-second social-media selfie video filmed on a beach. “I know the process was a pretty big deal last time, so when I woke up this morning I figured I’d just press record and let you guys know first.”

Brady, 45, was about to be a free agent for the second time in his career. Established as the Greatest of All-Time after 20 seasons with the Patriots, Brady signed with the Buccaneers from a limited field of suitors in 2020 and immediately made everyone else pay by winning his seventh Super Bowl.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is unlikely to do WrestleMania this year. He has told friends that he does not feel like he can get in ring shape by that time.

But a pitch has been made to Stone Cold Steve Austin to wrestle Roman Reigns in the main event. The offer made to Austin was reportedly for “enormous” money. 

The money that is being offered to Austin is apparently more than what was offered to him last year. Last Summer, Austin was approached with a deal that was “not as appealing from a financial standpoint.” There’s no word on if Austin has or plans to accept the new offer.

The plans for the top WrestleMania matches were for Roman Reigns to wrestle against The Rock in the second night. The first night would have featured Seth Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre or Cody Rhodes. There’s no word on if those matches are still planned. 

For the first time ever, Burger King is offering a plant-based version of their iconic Original Chicken Sandwich with the introduction of the new Impossible Original Chick’n Sandwich at select locations.

Previously, Burger King and Impossible Foods teamed up for the introduction of the plant-based Impossible Whopper in 2019 and testing of Impossible Nuggets made from plants in 2021.

WWE is looking towards the future with its biggest event of the year, WrestleMania 39, on April 1 and 2, 2023, in Los Angeles, CA, with the tagline, ‘WrestleMania Goes Hollywood.’

Without a single match announced, WWE has sold nearly 100,000 tickets for the show. SoFi Stadium has a maximum capacity of over 100,000 seats, but the stage set and other production areas will take up some of those seats. 

The venue is currently configured for 51,146 fans for each night of Mania. According to WrestleTix, which tracks ticket data, the show is nearly sold out. 

WWE is looking to load up WrestleMania 39. They want to bring in celebrities and several top names. Steve Austin is reportedly open to listening to offers for WrestleMania 39 following his successful return at WrestleMania 38. WWE is still hoping to have The Rock come in for a match with Roman Reigns.

So much for the Jalen Hurts shoulder injury affecting the Philadelphia Eagles in the playoffs. 

Hurts became just the second Eagles player with two pass touchdowns and one rush touchdown in a playoff game, joining Donovan McNabb on that exclusive list as the Eagles cruised to a 38-7 victory over the New York Giants in a playoff matchup that was never close.

The Eagles are heading to their seventh NFC Championship Game since the start of the 2001 season, and their second in five years. Hurts finished 16 of 24 for 254 yards with two touchdowns (112.2 rating) and had nine carries for 34 yards and a touchdown — all in a first half in which the Eagles took a 28-0 lead and cruised to victory.

The Giants will go home for the offseason on a bittersweet note: they weren’t even supposed to make it to the playoffs, so they can take pride in that; yet lots of improvements await, with Daniel Jones still unsigned at  QB and both sides of the ball requiring multiple upgrades. The Eagles, meanwhile, will advance to their second NFC Championship Game in five years.