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 Christian festival known as Candlemas – a festival of light – is also observed on Feb. 2, and is also a precursor to Groundhog Day. "The name refers to the candles lit that day in churches 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. 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. In 1886, Groundhog Day was acknowledged for the first time in Punxsutawney by a local newspaper, Weathers Wags, according to the club. In 1887, the first official pilgrimage to see Phil on Gobbler 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. 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 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 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 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. So without further adieu, read on to discover the other groundhog names that everyone will be looking out for on Groundhog Day. It’ll be fun finding out if these furry little critters see their Groundhog Day is a 1993 American fantasy comedy film directed by Harold Ramis from a screenplay by him and Danny Rubin.Starring Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, and Chris Elliott, it tells the story of a cynical television weatherman covering the annual Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, who becomes trapped in a time loop, forcing him to relive February 2 repeatedly. A groundhog has been making weather predictions in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, since 1886, but we've only been calling him "Phil" since 1961. Before that, the critter was usually just called the See a list of all 67 American prognosticators, whether genuine groundhogs or otherwise. Despite the name, GROUNDHOG-DAY.com is all-welcoming. When is Groundhog Day? Groundhog Day is Sunday, Feb. 2. Where is the groundhog from? The answer is in his name. The groundhog is known as Punxsutawney Phil, because the town where the Groundhog Groundhog Day Crafts For Kids | Fun ideas for preschoolers, kindergarten & elemetnary. Some have free printable PDF templates. Puppets, paper plate, handprint. The museum will announce the new name on Groundhog Day. The Children's Museum in West Hartford has added a new groundhog to its animal sanctuary and is letting the public vote for its new name Groundhog Day Names and Cultural Relevance. Your exploration of Groundhog Day names finds deep roots in the event’s heritage and its lasting role as a unique weather forecasting tradition. The intersection of folklore, history, and the natural world provides a rich tapestry from whiich to draw unique and meaningful names. Tradition and History The Children's Museum in West Hartford has added a new groundhog to its animal sanctuary and is letting the public vote for its new name ahead of Groundhog Day.
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