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Valentine's Day [2] honors love in all forms. In the US, the holiday is traditionally filled with tons of cheesy cards [3], candy, flowers [4], thoughtful gifts [5], and romantic activities — but depending on where you go around the world, it's celebrated with a number of unique traditions [6]. Although Valentine's Day is often criticized for being overly commercialized and artificial, there are a lot of reasons to take part in the day of love, whether it be with friends [7], family, or your romantic partner [8].
While typical Valentine's Day activities [9] include going out to dinner or seeing a movie, why not take the nontraditional route and quiz someone you love with a round of puzzling Valentine's Day trivia? If you're looking for a more low-key way of celebrating Valentine's Day (or just something different to do), trivia is the way to go. This Valentine's Day trivia is perfect for all ages and can be a great way to break the ice with your crush, make your friends laugh at your next Galentine's Day [10] party, or quiz your partner as you wait for your dinner reservations. Learn about the history of the holiday, unique global celebrations, sweet candy facts, and more with these 61 trivia questions.
Valentine's Day History Trivia
- During the Victorian era, people would send sassy, often insulting cards to enemies during Valentine's Day — a stark departure from the loving cards we send today. What were they called? (Vinegar Valentines)
- When was Feb. 14 first officially declared a holiday? (King Henry VIII declared the date Saint Valentine's Day in 1537.)
- Which famous structure was built in honor of love and loyalty? (The Taj Mahal. After the death of his wife in 1631, Emperor Shah Jahan constructed a beautiful mausoleum in her memory. The building holds their tombs.)
- When is the oldest known love poem dated from? (2031 BCE, from the time of the Sumerians. The poem, written on a clay tablet, was found in Iraq.)
- Saint Valentine of Rome, who inspired the holiday we know today, died when? (269 AD)
- The popular card company Hallmark launched its first Valentine's Day product in what year? (1916 — although the company started offering cards three years prior, in 1913.)
- When and by whom was the first American Valentine published? (1849 by Esther Howland)
- When did it become common and popular to exchange cards and gifts on Valentine's Day? (18th-century England)
- The Valentine's Day Massacre was set up by which famous gangster? (Al Capone)
- Valentine's Day wasn't always celebrated on Feb. 14. On which day was the holiday originally celebrated in ancient Rome? (Feb. 15)
Global Celebrations of Love Trivia
- Which country celebrates a "day of love" on the 14th of each month? (South Korea)
- What is a popular thing to do in the Philippines on Valentine's Day? (Get married! On the holiday, large masses of couples gather together and publicly say their vows.)
- Ghana celebrates Feb. 14 in a different way, with the day officially declared as what? (National Chocolate Day)
- On Valentine's Day, women — not men — traditionally buy chocolates and gifts in which country? (Japan)
- Women in Japan give gifts on Valentine's Day, but which day is dedicated to them getting treated? (On White Day, celebrated on March 14, men treat women to gifts and chocolates.)
- Which country celebrates "Friend's Day" rather than Valentine's Day? (Finland)
- Lovapalooza, an event where thousands of couples kiss simultaneously, is held in which country? (The Philippines. The country broke the world record in 2004, with 5,347 pairs locking lips.)
- Which country celebrates Trifon Zarezan Day, along with Valentine's Day? (Bulgaria. Trifon Zarezan Day honors Saint Trifon, the patron saint of vineyards. People celebrate this special day with plenty of wine and delicious food.)
- Wales celebrates a Valentine's Day of sorts during which month? (January. On Jan. 25, the country celebrates the day of Saint Dwynwen, maintaining centuries of tradition by exchanging handcrafted wooden spoons with one another.)
- Which country celebrates Valentine's Day during the summer? (Argentina)
Romance Movie Trivia
- Noah and Allie, characters from the 2004 film "The Notebook," were played by which real-life couple at the time? (Ryan Gosling [12] and Rachel McAdams [13]. The two dated after filming the movie from 2005-2007.)
- The 1999 film "10 Things I Hate About You [14]" is actually based on which play by Shakespeare? ("The Taming of the Shrew")
- Julia Roberts [15] was only 21 years old when she played Vivian Ward in what movie? ("Pretty Woman")
- Which romantic comedy-drama was nominated for seven Academy Awards in 1998? ("As Good as It Gets" — actors Jack Nicholson [16] and Helen Hunt [17] won Academy Awards for best actor and actress for their performances.)
- Speaking of the 1998 Academy Awards, which classic romance won best picture? ("Titanic [18]")
- The hilarious 2006 rom-com "She's the Man" was inspired by which Shakespearean play? ("Twelfth Night")
- What Shakespeare-inspired film earned Gwyneth Paltrow [19] her first Academy Award for best actress? ("Shakespeare in Love")
- Which superhero movie features an iconic kiss given upside down? ("Spider-Man")
- What three romantic comedies have Adam Sandler [20] and Drew Barrymore [21] starred in together? ("The Wedding Singer," "50 First Dates," and "Blended")
Love Song Trivia
- The song "I Will Always Love You" was famously covered by Whitney Houston. Who originally wrote and recorded the song? (Dolly Parton)
- Rolling Stone lists "I Want to Know What Love Is" as one of the greatest songs of all time. Which band sings this song? (Foreigner)
- The Supremes' song "You Can't Hurry Love" was revitalized in 1982 and sung by which popular British artist? (Phil Collins)
- What 1985 song features music legends Stevie Wonder and Luther Vandross? ("Part-Time Lover")
- What rock classic was Bon Jovi's first number-one hit? ("You Give Love a Bad Name")
- Which fiery-hot 1972 song by Elvis Presley topped the charts and became one of his most popular songs? ("Burning Love")
- Which legendary singer released the song "What's Love Got to Do With It" in 1984? (Tina Turner)
Sweet Treats Trivia
- Who is known for creating the first heart-shaped chocolate box? (Richard Cadbury, son of Cadbury founder John Cadbury)
- How many heart-shaped boxes of chocolate are sold each year? (36 million)
- Which affectionate candy was first introduced in 1907? (Hershey's Kisses)
- Speaking of Hershey's Kisses, when were the pink and red Valentine's Day-variety Kisses released? (While the original Kisses were introduced in the early 1900s, the special Valentine's Kisses weren't released until 1986.)
- Conversation Hearts are an iconic part of Valentine's Day. Which company produced these lovable treats up until 2019? (Necco)
- When were Conversation Hearts first invented? (In 1847, Necco founder Oliver R. Chase created a machine that cut medicinal lozenges, eventually starting his own candy factory. It wasn't until 1866 that his brother Daniel developed a mechanism to print messages onto the candy.)
- How many Conversation Hearts are produced each year? (Eight billion)
- Which fruit was once known as the "love apple"? (Tomato)
- Which state produces the most chocolate? (Pennsylvania)
- Around Valentine's season, how many pounds of Kisses does Hershey make? (Eight million)
Miscellaneous Valentine's Day Trivia
- With Valentine's Day at number two, what is the largest card-sending holiday? (Christmas)
- Which popular video-streaming platform launched on Valentine's Day 2005? (YouTube)
- In the abbreviation "XO," what do "X" and "O" stand for? (The "X" stands for kisses, and the "O" stands for hugs.)
- Which US state has a town named after the holiday? (If you're truly looking for love, look no further than Valentine, TX. The town even offers special postmarks on the holiday.)
- Known as the god of desire, love, and affection, which mythological figure is the symbol for Valentine's Day? (Cupid)
- Cupid is the god of love, but who is the goddess of love? (Aphrodite)
- What is considered to be the universal symbol of love, often associated with Valentine's Day? (A heart)
- Which state grows the most roses? (California)
- Speaking of roses, 60 percent of roses are imported to the US from other countries. Which country exports the most roses? (Colombia)
- What is the name of the Valentine's Day spin-off, typically celebrated with single friends? (Galentine's Day)
- Which hormone is known as the "love hormone"? (Oxytocin)
- How much do Americans collectively spend on Valentine's Day? ($50 million, including gifts and activities)
- Valentine's Day is the most popular date to give flowers. What is the second most popular day? (Mother's Day [22])
- How many people buy gifts for their pets on Valentine's Day? (28 percent of American adults buy gifts for their lovable four-legged friends.)
- How many Valentine's Day cards are sent out each year? (One billion)
