Learn about the history and customs of Groundhog Day, a cultural event observed in the US and Canada on February 2. Find out how it relates to Candlemas, badgers, bears, and weather lore in different regions and languages. Learn how Groundhog Day originated from ancient and modern traditions, and how it became a popular celebration in the U.S. Find out how accurate groundhogs are, and what other animals are used for weather forecasts. 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. See how the groundhog became a symbol for predicting seasonal changes in America, rooted in German folklore with a badger — which in turn lead to Groundhog Day. Learn how Groundhog Day evolved from a Christian holiday to a weather prognostication by German settlers, and how Punxsutawney became the official site of the celebration. Discover the history and past predictions of the groundhogs and their handlers. Groundhog Day has its roots in ancient midwinter ceremonies and the rest is history. The club says Groundhog Day is the same today as when it first started — if the old-timey garb and On February 2, 1887, Groundhog Day, featuring a rodent meteorologist, is celebrated for the first time at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.According to tradition, if a groundhog Every year on February 2, crowds gather at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to watch a groundhog emerge for the day—just like in the classic Bill Murray film Groundhog Day. You Learn how a Celtic festival, a German tradition and a Hollywood film shaped the quirky custom of Groundhog Day. Discover the origins, accuracy and significance of this annual weather prediction and its cultural impact. 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 It turns out that the modern Groundhog Day tradition is a tale of adaptation, with its origin in a centuries-old Christian holiday. Candlemas, the Groundhog Day forerunner. Groundhog Day is rooted in the historical Christian tradition of Candlemas, about halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. Conventionally, this was But, history shows a shadow sighting and six more weeks of winter is the more likely outcome. Here's when Groundhog Day began: The first mention of Groundhog Day came in 1886 in Punxsutawney. Groundhog Day has a rich history based on a deeper meaning; it speaks to the triumph of spring over winter—and birth over death. Again, note the appearance of light over dark with the appearance of candles and dawn—and, of course, the spiritual light of a holier presence. Most of us know the tradition: on February 2, our old friend the groundhog will emerge from hibernation, come out of his den, and predict whether winter will deliver more cold weather this year. If the groundhog sees his shadow, the story goes, cold weather will persist another few weeks. If not, warm weather is around the corner. If you like the folklore of holidays, you may be interested to RBC | I have an idea for the Meeker Chamber of Commerce: We could piggyback on the Pennsylvania Feb. 2 Groundhog Day hype by naming our groundhog as the one and only “Meeker Whistlepig” or the “Flattops Weather Marmot.” The Master of Ceremony would wear a Stetson and rope the varmint from under a stump Groundhog Day history. Big picture view: Groundhog Day traces its roots to ancient Celtic traditions, where Imbolc marked the midway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. Early "Predicting the arrival of springtime for an entire country—especially one with varied regional climates like the United States—isn’t easy," wrote NOAA in an article on Groundhog Day weather history. According to NOAA since 1887, Phil has predicted more winter 107 times, and an early spring just 20 times, with 10 years without recorded data. Stephen Tobolowsky, who played Ned Ryserson, in the movie Groundhog Day, attended the 2010 Groundhog Day Celebration in Punxsutawney. Danny Rubin, writer of the screenplay Groundhog Day, attended Groundhog Day 2013. This was the first time he attend Groundhog Day since before the movie was released. Here's what you need to know about Groundhog Day. How did Groundhog Day start? According to the Library of Congress, Groundhog Day traces its history back to an 1840 diary entry by an unnamed 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
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