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Web site of the week: History.com's History of Valentine's Day

By Eric Goodwin, McClatchy-Tribune News Service, Source: MCT News Service

To visit any department store this time of year is to be showered in a cascade of pink and red hearts. Valentine's Day is around the corner, the time of year we celebrate love and romance. But how did this holiday come to be? History.com has the answers, exploring the origins and customs of Valentine's Day in a special section (http://www.history.com/content/valentine).

In addition to articles, the site contains videos that look at the history of Valentine's Day and the origins of Valentine's cards. Other videos show how chocolate is made and the history of Cupid, the Roman god of love.

If you're thinking of writing a meaningful note to your sweetheart but need a bit of inspiration, History.com has a list of quotations about love from famous writers, including William Shakespeare and Zora Neale Hurston. There's even a movie guide if you're thinking of spending a quiet evening at home.

To see how courtship has changed over the past century or so, the site offers a timed quiz. "Love Match" is a memory game in which you match up famous lovers from history.

History.com's examination of the history and traditions of Valentine's Day is fun look at why we celebrate it.

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(Eric Goodwin writes Hotlink for McClatchy-Tribune News Service. You can send e-mail to egoodwin@mctinfoservices.com. Follow Hotlink on Twitter at http://twitter.com/mct_hotlink)

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(c) 2010, McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

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