Valentine's Day for the sentimental, the unromantic, social activists, history buffs and more
Valentine's Day seems to attract much emotion, mainly either love or hate.
But, whether you are hopelessly happy to celebrate 24 hours of love and romance or adamantly opposed to the idea of forced affection and disgusted by the commercialism of the Hallmark holiday—Nooga.com has something for you in this roundup.
For romantics
Sometimes, classic George Strait and a '90s movie say it all—"Our love is unconditional; we knew it from the start."
Other times, you really need some pouring rain to set the mood.
When watching "The Notebook," it might be impossible for a woman to avoid daydreaming about looking like Rachel McAdams or having a man who looks like Ryan Gosling.
The film is hopelessly romantic and idealistic and depicts a love that may only exist in the movies. But at least for its duration, it can make a viewer believe that soulmates are possible: "It wasn't over. It still isn't over."
The anti-Valentine
Now that we've drenched ourselves in the sappy passion of "The Notebook," let's get a reality check.
Let's face it. Sometimes, love makes you want to have an emotional breakdown. Sometimes, love stinks!
The Avett Brothers remind us that we probably don't want to be in love like the movies:
"So you want to be in love like the movies?
But in the movies, they're not in love at all.
And with a twinkle in their eyes,
They're just saying their lines.
So we can't be in love like the movies ..."
Keeping on the music note, Billy Bragg might have the most depressing—but beautifully poetic—song that bears the words 'Valentine's Day': "Valentine's Day Is Over."
"Someday, boy, you'll reap what you've sown.
You'll catch a cold, and you'll be on your own.
And you will see that what's wrong with me
Is wrong with everyone that
You want to play your little games on.
Poetry and flowers, pretty words and threats.
You've gone to the dogs again, and I'm not placing bets
On you coming home tonight anything but blind.
If you take me for granted, then you must expect to find ...
Surprise, surprise
Valentine's Day is over; it's over."
For television/movie lovers
Zen College Life complied a list of 10 great Valentine's Day television clips.
And we would be remiss if we didn't remind you about this epic, classic and cool "Star Wars" love scene.
Of course, what says "love" more than animated animals sucking spaghetti and kissing?
And, thanks to HitFix.com, here is a list of romantic movies that "guys will actually enjoy."
And, because 50 percent of Nooga.com workers really love "Friends," we couldn't let this one go by—"He's her lobster!"
The greater good—V-Day
Leaders of a global movement aiming to end violence against women, called V-Day, have launched a new campaign called 1 Billion Rising.
"The concept of the campaign is simple. If you take into account the statistic that one out of three women will experience violence in her lifetime, you are left with the staggering statistic that over 1 billion women on this planet will be impacted by violence," according to VDay.org.
This Valentine's Day, leaders are inviting 1 billion women and those who support women to "walk out, dance, rise up and demand an end to this violence."
A local event is scheduled for noon on the Walnut Street Bridge. Click here for more information.
Love and more music
—"What Is Love" by Haddaway
—"Valentine's Day" by Bruce Springsteen
—"Happy Valentine's Day" by Outkast
For history buffs
February has long been a month associated with romance, according to the History Channel.
And the holiday has traces of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition, but the patron saint for which the day is named—St. Valentine—is mysterious.
The Catholic Church recognizes at least three saints called Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyrs. There are several stories about who Valentine was and what he did.
One legend says that a priest named Valentine defied a third-century Roman emperor, who thought single men made better soldiers, so he outlawed marriage.
Valentine is rumored to have thought this rule unjust, so he continued to secretly marry young lovers. The emperor discovered this and put Valentine to death, according to the History Channel.
"While some believe that Valentine's Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine's death or burial—which probably occurred around A.D. 270—others claim that the Christian Church may have decided to place St. Valentine's feast day in the middle of February in an effort to 'Christianize' the pagan celebration of Lupercalia," according to the History Channel.
Click here to read more in-depth details about Valentine's Day from the History Channel's website.
On Feb. 14, 1929, the St. Valentine's Day Massacre cemented Al Capone's reputation as a crime lord. He organized the killing of seven men, who were hit with 90 bullets from submachine guns, shotguns and a revolver, according to the Chicago Tribune.
"These murders went out of the comprehension of a civilized city," a Tribune editorialist wrote. "The butchering of seven men by open daylight raises this question for Chicago: Is it helpless?"
