The observance of Groundhog Day in the United States first occurred in German communities in Pennsylvania, according to known records. The earliest mention of Groundhog Day is an entry on February 2, 1840, in the diary of James L. Morris of Morgantown, in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, according to the book on the subject by Don Yoder. This was a Groundhog Day By Numbers. 1841 – A storekeeper named James Morris wrote and marked the date February 2 as Candlemas Day. 40,000 – The number of people who attend the Groundhog Day celebration in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. 1886 – The year the first Groundhog Day was held in Punxsutawney. 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. The beginning of February, which falls roughly halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox , has long been a significant time of the year in many The first official Groundhog Day celebration took place on February 2, 1887, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. The annual ritual has roots in pre-Christian traditions and was brought to the U.S. by The Christian tradition in which Groundhog's Day has its roots is called Candlemas, as EarthSky reports. In the Christian tradition of Candlemas, also February 2nd, clergy handed out candles to their congregation, estimating how much longer winter might last. In Germany, hedgehogs, which hibernate, were added to the tradition. 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. The History of Groundhog Day The Christian religious holiday of Candlemas Day has become most commonly associated with the current celebration, but it’s roots are older than that. The celebration started in Christianity as the day, (February 2nd), when Christians would take their candles to the church to have them blessed. The Birth of Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney. The first recorded Groundhog Day celebration took place on February 2nd, 1886, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. The event was organized by local newspaper editor Clymer Freas and a group of businessmen and groundhog hunters known as the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. In Alaska, instead of a groundhog, they use a marmot to predict the weather on February 2nd. The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club's Inner Circle, a group of local dignitaries, is responsible for caring for Phil and organizing the annual event. Groundhog Day in Pop Culture. Groundhog Day has made its mark in pop culture, thanks to movies, TV shows An unusual, yet beloved holiday February 2nd is Groundhog Day, the day when a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil predicts whether or not we will have six more weeks of winter. If he sees his shadow, more cold is on the way; if not, warmer weather is coming. While this holiday may seem like a silly tradition, it has a surprisingly deep history. Ancient Traditions Free Printable Groundhog Day Activity Sheets | Fun February activities for preschool, pre k, kindergarten. Maze, matching, fine motor + graphing. Great winter ideas! Groundhog Day. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2003. ISBN 978-0811700290. External links. All links retrieved June 20, 2024. History of Groundhog Day; Groundhog Day - February 2; Groundhog.org, the official site of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. Groundhog Day. February 2nd is famously known for Groundhog Day in the United States and Canada. This quirky tradition involves a groundhog predicting the weather. Groundhog Day originated from an ancient European celebration called Candlemas Day. The most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, resides in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Beyond the 1993 movie “Groundhog Day,” which turned the holiday into a pop culture staple, people have held “Groundhog Day” marathons where they watch the movie on repeat. The concept of reliving the same day also sparked the “time loop” genre in film and TV, including hits like Edge of Tomorrow and Russian Doll . Peoria, IL (WMBD)- Since the late 1880s February 2nd has been celebrate as Groundhog Day. A way to “predict” when the winter weather moves on to make way for spring. If our groundhog fr The Mount Joy Groundhog Day Celebration is a free, family-friendly event that takes place annually on February 2nd in Mount Joy, Lancaster County. The festivities begin at 7:00 AM at the Rotary In 2022, Groundhog Day was on Wednesday, February 2nd. Most groundhogs (57%) predicted an early spring. Candlemas Day (February 2nd): Coinciding with Groundhog Day, Candlemas has roots in Christian traditions and marks the presentation of Jesus at the temple. Imbolc (February 1st-2nd): A pagan festival celebrating the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, symbolizing the lengthening of days and the coming of spring. On February 2nd of every year, a curious event occurs in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania — a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil appears from his burrow to predict the weather for the coming weeks.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.