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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 The Groundhog Day tradition dates back to Germany where a badger was used to determine the coming of spring. DamianKuzdak/Getty Images Places like Missouri, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin have It was proclaimed by the “Punxsutawney Groundhog Club” in 1887, the same year they declared Punxsutawney to be the weather capital of the world. Every February 2, the “faithful followers of Phil” can await his arrival starting at 6 a.m., thanks to a livestream provided by Visit Pennsylvania. When is Groundhog Day 2025? Groundhog Day will take place Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. Thousands will show up in person, with the grounds to Gobblers Knob opening at 4 a.m., and millions will tune in to see if Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow. More: Where to watch Bill Murray's 1993 classic movie 'Groundhog Day' for Groundhog Day. What is Whether the groundhog sees its shadow on February 2 has more to do with the weather that day, than the groundhog itself. After all, Punxsutawney Phil has only been right about 30% of the time The Groundhog Day legend is simple: Punxsutawney Phil's shadow on Feb. 2 predicts the weather for the next 6 weeks until the start of spring. Obviously, if they're hiding in their den, they German settlers arriving in the U.S. quickly found out there were no badgers in Pennsylvania, so they went with the groundhog instead. The real reason the groundhog comes out on February 2 has 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 When German immigrants settled Pennsylvania in the 18th and 19th centuries, they brought the custom with them, choosing the native groundhog as the annual forecaster. First Groundhog Day This Day 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. Would you trust a groundhog to predict the weather? Every year on Feb. 2, millions of Americans look to a furry forecaster to determine whether winter will linger or if an early spring is on the way. Thousands gather at Gobbler's Knob to see Punxsutawney Phil's announcement that he sees his shadow and that there will be 6 more weeks of winter Feb. 2, 2017. Groundhog Day has its roots in ancient midwinter ceremonies. People once looked up to the stars and sun to determine the time of day or year; now they look down at their cell phone screens. Researchers have found that groundhogs do in fact emerge from their dens in early February, but not to determine whether they’ll see their shadow, according to the National Wildlife Federation When is Groundhog Day? Groundhog Day is on February 2 every year. In 2025, Groundhog Day is on a Sunday. What is Groundhog Day? On Groundhog Day, the world looks to Punxsutawney Phil, a groundhog As Groundhog Day approaches on February 2nd, it’s the perfect opportunity to share some silly jokes with the kids. This quirky holiday brings excitement as we eagerly await whether Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow. The Groundhog Day celebration at Gobbler's Knob started in 1887. Aside from a 10-year gap, records for each prognostication have been meticulously kept. Over the years, Phil has predicted six more Groundhog Day traces its origins back to European traditions, particularly Candlemas Day, celebrated on February 2. This day marked a midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the arrival of spring. In various cultures, it was thought that the weather on Candlemas would determine the length of winter—sunny weather suggested six more weeks of "Groundhog Day is really a holiday about sex," he adds. People once looked up to the stars and sun to determine the time of day or year; now they look down at their cell phone screens.
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