Valentine’s Day wasn’t always about love letters, flowers and savory sweets. No, this heartfelt holiday actually has rather bawdy beginnings—ones that would make even Cupid blush. So what’s your Valentine’s Day IQ? Take our quiz and find out!    

1. Who is credited with sending the first Valentine?

a)  William Shakespeare
b)  Louise XIV of France
c)  Charles, Duke of Orleans
d)  Robert Browning

A. b

2. Saint Valentine was…

a)  A traveling musician who roamed the Italian countryside, serenading young lovers with his harp.
b)  A Roman bishop who performed secret weddings, defying the Emperor’s law that prohibited soldier from getting married.
c)   A 6^th Century Pope who preached monogamy and eventually became the patron saint of marriage.
d)  A missionary who brought Christianity to the tribes of Africa.

A. b

3. What is the name of the winged, bow-and-arrow toting child who graces most Valentine’s Day cards? 

a)  Venus
b)  Apollo
c)  Cupid
d)  Puck  

A. 3
4. Valentine’s Day has to try harder because it is the second most popular American holiday in terms of greeting cards sent. What holiday takes the top spot?

a)  Christmas
b)  Mother’s Day
c)  Easter
d)  Thanksgiving

A. a

5. Who crafted the first U.S.-made valentines?

a)  Benjamin Franklin
b)  Joyce C. Hallmark
c)  Elizabeth Cady Stanton
d)  Esther Howland

A.  d

6. Why is Valentine’s Day celebrated on February 14th?

a)  It commemorates the anniversary of St. Valentine’s death.
b)  It marks the anniversary of the canonization of St. Valentine.
c)  It is the Christian Church’s retort to a once-popular, but now defunct, pagan holiday that was held on February 15th.
d)  Nobody really knows.

A. d

7. Just days before his death, St. Valentine wrote a passionate plea to a forbidden love. How did he sign the letter?

a)  Ours is a love that will echo throughout the ages.
b)  From your Valentine.
c)  Remember me, remember this day, remember our love
d)  We shall meet again.

A. b