Groundhog Day was popularized by the 1993 movie "Groundhog Day," starring Bill Murray. The film brought widespread attention to the tradition. The Groundhog's Role. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, play a central role in this unique celebration. Here are some interesting facts about these furry forecasters. While these predictions have not been proven to be exactly accurate, thousands of people still gather to celebrate Groundhog Day as a tradition. Here are 15 more fun facts about this quirky celebration. 1. Groundhog Day has its roots in Germany. Although it is majorly an American tradition, it is often linked to a German holiday called Explore Groundhog Day's shadowy history as well as interesting facts about the custom. By: History.com Staff Updated: January 30, 2024 | Original: February 2, 2012 1. Groundhog Day has its roots in another February 2 celebration. Groundhog Day is an offshoot of the Christian celebration of Candlemas, which is held every February 2—exactly 40 days after The Groundhog Day tradition dates back to Germany where a badger was used to determine the coming of spring. DamianKuzdak/Getty Images Places like Missouri, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin have Facts. The groundhog emerges from its burrow on February 2. If the groundhog sees its shadow when it emerges, there will be six more weeks of winter. ALSO SEE: The legend of the immortal "Groundhog Day" the movie put Punxsutawney Phil on the map. Getty Images After the release of the 1993 film starring Bill Murray, attendance to the big event in Punxsutawney exploded, drawing Groundhog Day, in the United States and Canada, day (February 2) on which the emergence of the groundhog from its burrow is said to foretell the weather for the following six weeks. In the United States the most popular event occurs in Pennsylvania and centers on a groundhog designated Punxsutawney Phil. Groundhog Fun Facts. 1. Punxsutawney Phil is the official groundhog forecaster on February 2, but many states have their own (like New York’s Staten Island Chuck). 2. Phil’s full name, granted by the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, is Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators, and Weather Prophet As the myth of Groundhog Day goes, if a groundhog sees its shadow on February 2, winter will last another six weeks. And while Punxsutawney Phil’s handlers maintain 100 percent accuracy in his Originally, Groundhog Day was a Celtic festival marking the year’s first cross-quarter day, or a midpoint between seasons. Read more about the ancient Celtic calendar here. Celebrated at the beginning of February, the day was called Imbolc —a term from Old Irish that is most often translated as “in the belly”—a reference to the soon Entertainment ‘Groundhog Day’ movie: 10 facts about the film that will leave you shocked | Groundhog Day 2025. Published: Jan. 27, 2025, 7:00 a.m. Groundhog Day may sound silly, but the traditions and little facts of the day really make it a fun one to share with your kids. You can stream Punxsutawney Phil coming out of his burrow on Feb. 2 Entertainment; Groundhog Day 2025 facts: 7 things you need to know before the prediction. Published: Jan. 28, 2025, 7:31 a.m. On Groundhog Day, the club holds a "solemn" ceremony as a groundhog, named Phil, is pulled from a "burrow" in front of TV cameras and cheering crowds. The club says Phil has predicted 99 forecasts Here are five more interesting facts about Groundhog Day. 1. Where does the tradition come from? Groundhog Day may have its origins in the Christian celebration of Candlemas Day, the midway point 13. Crowds of up to 40,000 people have attended the Groundhog Day celebration. Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, home to under 6,000 residents, hosts the largest Groundhog Day celebration, attracting an average of 20,000 people annually. The 1993 movie ‘Groundhog Day’ significantly boosted attendance, with a record 40,000 attendees in 2020. What’s up with this crazy holiday? We have some fun facts to fill you in on Phil. The groundhog wakes up from hibernation on February 2. If the groundhog sees its shadow when it emerges from its burrow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If it does not see its shadow, spring will arrive soon. This tradition started in Europe as Candlemas Day. Germans who settled in Pennsylvania in the Here are some Groundhog Day facts that may help answer those kid questions. Photo by Chris Flook. Here are some of our teacher team’s favorite fun Groundhog Day facts for kids: The most famous groundhog on Groundhog Day is Punxsutawney Phil, who lives in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Phil isn’t the first groundhog to celebrate the holiday A groundhog’s teeth grow a sixteenth of an inch each week to accommodate its endless appetite and frequent chomping away at every garden vegetable (as the Sheldrake Giving Garden can attest) and forest plant it can find. Happy Groundhog Day to all. I consider it the best “holiday,” as it is also my birthday.
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