For the love: A Valentine's Day quiz

St. Valentine's Day is a tradition dating from ancient Rome that today is celebrated throughout the world. This holiday of love and romance gives couples the chance to exchange gifts and express their love.

Yet beyond the cards, chocolates and roses, what do you really know about this holiday that rolls around each Feb. 14?
 
Test yourself. Take our online trivia quiz. Only true romantics will be able to answer all 10 questions correctly. Answer the first question below, and then click NEXT for more questions.
 
Have fun and good luck!


Question 1: Cupid, the Greek god of erotic love and beauty, is the son of what other gods?

A) Atlas and Venus
B) Perseus and Pegasus
C) Mercury and Venus
D) Brad and Angelina

Answer: C) Mercury and Venus

Mercury, the god of messengers and Venus, goddess of love and beauty are the parents of Cupid according to mythology. The young winged cherub armed with a bow and arrow, ready to shoot anyone at anytime causing them to fall madly in love, is a central figure in the Valentine's Day tradition. Perhaps he gets his looks from his mom and his aim from his dad.

Question 2: Which of these phrases is made its debut in the 2010 version of the Sweethearts candy hearts?

A) "Fax Me"
B) "Tweet Me"
C) "E-mail Me"
D) "Call Me"

Answer: B) "Tweet Me"

With the new explosion in popularity, Twitter, the interactive social networking super-site, has earned itself a phrase on the famous candy hearts.

Although the other three answers were featured on previous versions of the candy, "Tweet Me" was added in 2010.

Also included in the 2010 lineup: "Text Me", "Sweet Love", "Love Bug", "You and Me" and "You Rock".


Question 3: Besides greeting cards, by volume the most popular gift received on Valentine's Day is:

A) Flowers
B) Candy
C) Clothing (including lingerie)
D) Jewelry

Answer: B) Candy

According to the National Retail Federation, candy edges out flowers for the top spot with 47.2 percent of those surveyed opting for the sweet stuff on V-Day, while 35.6 percent of buyers pick flowers.

FACT: More than 36 million boxes of chocolates are sold each year around Valentine's Day.

Question 4: What was the St. Valentine's Day Massacre?

A) The crushing of the San Diego Chargers by the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XXIX
B) The killing of five Massachusetts civilians by British troops in 1770
C) The last armed conflict between the Sioux Indians and American soldiers in 1890
D) A prohibition-fueled murder involving two rival gangs in Chicago in 1929

Answer: D) A prohibition-fueled murder involving two rival gangs in Chicago in 1929

On the morning of Feb. 14, 1929 Al Capone arranged for members of rival "Bugs" Moran's gang to be eliminated. Overall, seven men were killed including five from Moran's gang. Two of the shooters were apparently dressed as Chicago police officers. Who says Valentine's Day is only about love?

Moving on...

Question 5: According to widely-accepted legend, who was St. Valentine?

A) The Roman Catholic patron saint of marriage
B) A Roman Priest
C) A French poet who was put to death for expressing forbidden love
D) St. Valentine is purely fictional, like the Easter Bunny or Tooth Fairy

Answer: B) A Roman Priest

Historians and scholars believe St. Valentine was a priest who defied the law of Claudius II by continuing to marry couples, until he was discovered and killed. Claudius had outlawed all marriages because too many men were getting married to avoid serving in battle – ancient draft-dodgers, in other words. On the eve of his execution, Valentine wrote his final letter to his jailer's daughter and signed it "From your Valentine." This is believed to be why we honor him today by sending our own "Valentines."



Question 6: Which of these appropriately named musicians formed their band on Valentine's Day?

A) Darlene Love
B) Heart
C) The Romantics
D) Kiss

Answer: C) The Romantics

Known best for their ultra-catchy rock hits "What I Like About You" and "Talking In Your Sleep," The Romantics became a band on Feb. 14, 1977 in Detroit, Mich. They are still touring today.

Question 7: Which of these actors did NOT appear in the movie "Valentine's Day"?

A) Jamie Foxx
B) Ben Stiller
C) Julia Roberts
D) Ashton Kutcher

Answer: B) Ben Stiller

While you've seen his face in just about every recent romantic comedy, the star of "Along Came Polly" and "The Heartbreak Kid" is not among the cast in director Garry Marshall's latest effort. However, we wouldn't be shocked if he somehow managed to create a last-minute cameo appearance.

Speaking of Actors...

Question 8: This American actress celebrates her birthday on Feb. 14:

A) Florence Henderson
B) Sharon Stone
C) Renee Zellweger
D) Kathy Griffin

Answer: A) Florence Henderson

Henderson, best known for her role as Carol Brady in the television series "The Brady Bunch," was born on Valentine's Day in 1934. The Brady Bunch ran from 1969 until 1974 and most of Henderson's success came shortly after that time period.

Only two questions remain! Congratulations if you still have a perfect score. Ready for more? Here we go...

Question 9: This state was admitted to the Union on Feb. 14, 1859 as our 33rd state.

A) Arizona
B) Colorado
C) Wyoming
D) Oregon

Answer: D) Oregon

Kudos to you if you knew this one. (Valentine's trivia covers American history as well. Who knew?) Yes, Oregon was admitted as the 33rd state on Valentine's Day in 1859. However, it's not the only state admitted on this day. Arizona was also named a state on Valentine's Day in 1912 to become our 48th state.

Last question and perhaps the toughest one of all. Why celebrate Valentine's Day, a day of love and affection, in the middle of such a cold month for so much of the world. Why not spring instead?

Question 10: So why is Valentine's Day on Feb. 14?

A) This was St. Valentine’s birth date
B) Feb. 14 was the day on which St. Valentine was executed
C) On Feb. 14 St. Valentine escaped from prison to continue performing illegal marriages
D) Feb. 14 was the day St. Valentine performed his final marriage, his own

Answer: B) Feb. 14 was the day on which St. Valentine was executed.

So much for romance. Ancient records mark Feb. 14 as the day St. Valentine was put to death for performing illegal marriages and refusing to renounce his Christian faith.

Not doing so hot? Don't worry. Here's a BONUS QUESTION to help boost your score. Think of it as our Valentine's gift to you!

BONUS: Which of these lovely cities handles the most pieces of mail on Feb. 14?

A) Lovejoy, Ga.
B) Valentine, Texas
C) Romance, Ariz.
D) Loveland, Ohio

Answer: D) Loveland, Ohio

The U.S. Postal Service reports that overall mail traffic is much higher in Loveland, Ohio than the others cities listed. Loveland, Ohio - like Loveland, Colo. and several other lovely U.S. cities - has an industry dedicated to remailing Valentine's Day cards.

Roses are red
Violets are blue
Your quiz is now over
So how did you do?

If you were able to conquer this challenging quiz with 10 correct answers then either you truly are the lover of lovers or Casanova himself! We hope you had fun and learned something about the holiday. Feel free to share the quiz with your friends and family and to leave us a comment below. Thanks for playing!