Jackson’s death resulted in the cancellation of Groundhog Day ceremonies, ending a streak of more than 20 years of predictions at the Space Farms Zoo and Museum in Sussex, N.J. • Scandal struck after Groundhog Day 2014, when New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio lost his grip on “Charlotte,” the female stand-in for Chuck. A week later, Despite its family-friendly reputation, did you know Groundhog Day has weathered years of rodent-related treachery, schemes and murder? Nov. 28, 2021. Nov. 28, 2021. 6 min read. Save De Blasio was visiting Staten Island Zoo to celebrate Groundhog Day on Feb. 2, 2014, when zoo staffers handed him the rodent. But the anxious animal squirmed out of the 6’5″ mayor’s grip and Groundhog Day accuracy as a weather predictor is a touchy subject among meteorologists. They point out that Phil’s predictions have been accurate only about 39% of the time, according to analysis by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Meteorologists emphasize the lack of scientific basis for Groundhog Day predictions. Jackson’s death resulted in the cancellation of Groundhog Day ceremonies, ending a streak of more than 20 years of predictions at the Space Farms Zoo and Museum in Sussex, N.J. There have also been several instances where a groundhog has died, like when New York City’s mayor dropped a groundhog nearly a decade ago. This morning, a groundhog used for predictions in Quebec was found dead. Heartbreaking: #FredLaMarmotte, a groundhog used for Groundhog Day predictions in Quebec, was found dead this morning. He deserved Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, is the birthplace of Groundhog Day and the home of Punxsutawney Phil, the Peyton Manning of prescient rodents. Controversy: When the groundhogs have got to go It’s Groundhog Day, and as residents of Pennsylvania, we should all rejoice, as this holiday originated in our state with the one and only Punxsutawney Phil. According to local lore, there really is only one Punxsutawney Phil, and there has never been another. In fact, the original Phil has been making annual weather predictions since 1886. The trouble for the groundhogs began back on April 1, 2011 when the highly influential and credentialed Union of Concerned Scientists argued that climate change had already caused spring to arrive eight days earlier in the northern hemisphere and Groundhog Day should be moved up to Jan. 25 from Feb. 2. The Brief. Woodstock, Illinois, became the filming location for "Groundhog Day" (1993), and the town now celebrates the movie with an annual festival that attracts visitors from around the world. Animal-welfare activists are asking local officials to stop using the animals at their Groundhog Day events. Officials are indicating the show will go on. A shadow of controversy. Will the day end in controversy? Find out on Sunday, Feb. 2, at the Staten Island Zoo, where this year’s Groundhog Day ceremony will begin at 7 a.m., with Chuck expected to make his prediction Groundhog Club handler A.J. Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 137th celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa., Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023. Phil’s handlers said that the groundhog has forecast six more weeks of winter. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger) What Two Distant Strangers and Groundhog Day for a Black Man do share is an unabashed debt to Groundhog Day. Danny Rubin, the writer of that 1993 film, said he was unaware of this recent controversy, and hadn’t seen either short. But he said he was “delighted by all of the permutations” of his film’s concept. Buckeye Chuck back in the flesh on Groundhog Day after animal rights controversy last year. Groundhog Day 2023:Ohio's stuffed Buckeye Chuck predicts 6 more weeks of winter. On Feb. 2, 2014, the Staten Island Zoo hosted its annual Groundhog Day celebration, which took an unexpected turn. Skip to Article. but despite this, controversy remained. Due to the incident The accusations come via a TikTok from Cynthia Koa, who created a short back in December 2016 released on YouTube called Groundhog Day for a Black Man. She lays the case that the Netflix short may have stolen the concept because of a link between her original video and NowThis, an online publication with big footprints on social media. Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney may be just some midwinter fun, but data shows that Phil isn't terribly accurate at what he does. Last year was the third straight year the groundhog has spotted his Entertainment; Groundhog Day 2021 controversy: Staten Island Chuck goes virtual, but where was the snow? Updated: ; Feb. 02, 2021, 12:01 p.m. | Published: ; Feb. 02
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.