24 Valentine’s Day Trivia Questions & Answers

When it is the season of hearts and love and cute cards, cupids everywhere get ready to spread some softness around the world. In this era of iced coffee and vegan muffins, there’s nothing better than an extra dose of love in the air.

Interestingly, there is more to Saint Valentine’s Day than just giving flowers, sappy sayings, and chocolate. This celebration has been around for a very long time, and we've gathered some fun facts to test your knowledge!

1. When is Galentine's day?
   February 13th – a day for “ladies celebrating ladies,” popularized by Leslie Knope in Parks and Recreation.
2. What is the name of the TV show credited for starting Galentine's Day?
   Parks and Recreation. It was introduced in Season 2, Episode 16 as a day for women to celebrate friendship.
   
   
3. Which Christian martyr is the patron saint of lovers?
   Saint Valentine. He is also the patron saint of beekeepers and epileptics.
4. What were mean-spirited Valentine’s Day cards called in the Victorian era?
   "Vinegar Valentines." They were unromantic, often vulgar cards sent to people you didn't like.
   
   
   Sources: Picryl, Brighton Royal Pavilion and Museums
5. Who created the first candy box for Valentine's Day?
   Richard Cadbury. He produced the first marketing for the heart-shaped chocolate boxes we use today.
   
   
6. What brain chemical is known as the "love hormone"?
   Oxytocin.
7. Which emperor ordered the execution of Saint Valentine?
   Emperor Claudius II Gothicus in the year 269.
8. What fruit used to be referred to as a "love apple"?
   The Tomato. The French believed they had aphrodisiac qualities.
9. What very important invention was patented on Valentine's Day?
   The telephone (1876).
10. What website launched on Valentine's Day of 2005?
    YouTube.
11. What do red roses symbolize?
    Respect, passion, and love.
12. Who came up with the term "star-crossed lovers"?
    William Shakespeare in the prologue of Romeo and Juliet.
    
    

    "A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life;
    Whose misadventured piteous overthrows
    Doth with their death bury their parents’ strife."

13. What does XOXO mean?
    Hugs and kisses.
14. What ancient Roman festival falls on February 14?
    Lupercalia, an ancient festival of fertility.
    
    
    Lupercalia oil painting, Museo del Prado
15. When was Valentine's Day first linked to romance?
    The 14th century, thanks to Geoffrey Chaucer’s poem "Parliament of Foules."
16. What is Cupid the god of?
    In Roman mythology, he is the god of love, attraction, and desire. In Greek, he is known as Eros.
17. Which country recognizes February 14th as National Chocolate Day?
    Ghana.