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. 12. The film ‘Groundhog Day’ popularized the celebration. Previously, few thousands of people would travel to Gobbler’s Knob to celebrate Groundhog Day. The release of the 1993 Columbia Pictures film, ‘Groundhog Day’ starring Bill Murray made the celebration of this tradition quite popular. The number of tourists that visited 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. The heart rate of a groundhog during hibernation slows down from 80 beats per minute to just 5 beats per minute. Breathing slows from 16 breaths per minute to just 2! During hibernation, a groundhog’s body temperature drops from 99 degrees to 37 degrees. At a dead sprint, groundhogs reach a maximum speed of 8 mph. 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 "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 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 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 The first official Groundhog Day took place on February 2, 1887, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. The event took up permanent residence at Gobbler’s Knob the following year. 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 In addition to the official ceremonies, National Groundhog Day has become an opportunity for fun and creativity. People dress up as groundhogs and participate in parades or organize themed parties. It is also common for newspapers and social media platforms to share humorous articles and memes related to this whimsical holiday. Here are five interesting facts about Groundhog Day that you might not know: When the tradition started, it wasn’t a groundhog that made the prediction, it was a badger! It wasn’t until recent years that the tradition changed, and the groundhog was used in its place. The movie Groundhog Day made groundhog day much more famous. The movie Groundhog Day, filmed in Woodstock, Illinois, was made in 1993, made groundhog day more famous. The film is a comedy film for which Harold Ramis and Danny Rubin wrote the screenplay, and it stars Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, and Chris Elliott. Murray plays Phil Connors, a 5 things you probably didn't know about Groundhog Day. Fun facts about rodents' favorite holiday. Share Copy Link. Copy {copyShortcut} to copy Link copied! Updated: 6:21 AM EST Feb 2, 2024 Chelsea The heart rate of a groundhog during hibernation slows down from 80 beats per minute to just 5 beats per minute. Breathing slows from 16 breaths per minute to just 2! During hibernation, a groundhog’s body temperature drops from 99 degrees to 37 degrees. At a dead sprint, groundhogs reach a maximum speed of 8 mph. 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 Groundhog Day is celebrated in Canada and the U.S. every year on Feb. 2. Legend has it that watching a groundhog emerge from its burrow can determine the weather forecast for the coming weeks. If it’s a sunny day and the groundhog sees its shadow, it goes back to sleep for six more weeks of winter. Groundhog Day is observed every February 2 in the United States. It’s a day for the world-famous Punxsutawney Phil and other groundhogs (a.k.a. woodchucks) to emerge from their hallowed holes First things first: Groundhogs are lousy weather predictors. As the myth of Groundhog Day goes, if a groundhog sees its shadow on February 2, winter will last another six weeks. And while Groundhog facts for kids: Goundhogs are rodents, they are part of the squirrel family. Groundhogs live 6 years a baby is called a kit.
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