"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 Pop Culture. Groundhog Day has made its mark in pop culture, thanks to movies, TV shows, and more. Here are some interesting facts about its influence. The movie "Groundhog Day" has become a cultural phenomenon, often referenced in discussions about time loops and repetitive events. Here are our 8 favorite fun facts about Groundhog Day: Phil and his handler in 2011. 1 . 39 percent: that's how often Punxsutawney Phil's Groundhog Day forecast is accurate, according to Stormfax . Groundhog Day weather predictions were added to this list, as captured in an article in The Miami Herald from February 2, 1943, where forecaster H. A Downes stated that ‘To broadcast that a groundhog does or doesn’t see his shadow might reveal sky conditions to the enemy. Annual Groundhog Day predictions will have to be skipped.’ 6. 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 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 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 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 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 has been celebrated in the United States since at least February 2, 1886. Starting in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, with its now-famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, the tradition spread throughout America. It is now celebrated all over, and not just with groundhogs. 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 According to folklore, Punxsutawney Phil, the celebrated groundhog, defies his natural 6-8-year lifespan by drinking a ‘magical elixir’ annually at the Groundhog Day picnic. This tradition, upheld by the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, supposedly extends Phil’s life by seven years with each sip, maintaining his age at over 135 years and 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 That’s only 2% higher than the national average of 37%. Currently, the most accurate groundhog prognosticator lives in Yellowknife, California and has a 50% accuracy rate. 7. Groundhog Day was almost Badger Day instead. Groundhog Day originally evolved from Candlemas, a celebration of both literal and religious light. Every Feb. 2, Americans celebrate Groundhog Day and eagerly wait to know whether the furry animal’s forecast. Here are facts about Groundhog Day. 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. 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. No match for a hungry fox that can hit 25 mph! Boy groundhogs pop their head up in February and emerge from their dens to wander around looking for female burrows. 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 Facts. The first Groundhog Day celebration took place in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phil, the famous groundhog, has been predicting the weather since 1887. If a groundhog sees its shadow on Groundhog Day, legend says there will be six more weeks of winter. The release of the 1993 movie “Groundhog Day” starring Bill Murray brought increased attention to the holiday and the famous Punxsutawney Phil. Attendance at the Groundhog Day celebration in Punxsutawney soared to 35,000 people after the film’s release.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.