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Groundhog Day (Pennsylvania German: Grund'sau dåk, Grundsaudaag, Grundsow Dawg, Murmeltiertag; Nova Scotia: Daks Day) [1] [2] [3] is a tradition observed regionally in the United States and Canada on February 2 of every year. 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 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 As German settlers came to what is now the United States, so too came their traditions and folklore. With the absence of hedgehogs in the United States, a similar hibernating animal was chosen. This leads us to yet another evolution in the legend and to present day 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. In the United States the most popular event occurs in Pennsylvania and centers on a groundhog designated Punxsutawney Phil. 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. Every year on February 2nd, people across the United States and Canada eagerly await the weather prediction of a furry, four-legged prognosticator: the groundhog. This quirky tradition, known as Groundhog Day, has captured the hearts and imaginations of generations. But where did this unusual custom come from, and why has it endured for so long In the 1880s, Clymer H. Freas, the editor of the Punxsutawney Spirit newspaper, had the idea to make Groundhog Day a formal holiday, and naming Punxsutawney Phil as the official weather-predicting groundhog. The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, established in 1887, carries on the tradition today. While other cities have similar celebrations, there A popular tradition in the United States, Groundhog Day is also a legend that traverses centuries, its origins clouded in the mists of time with ethnic cultures and animals awakening on specific dates. Myths such as this tie our present to the distant past when nature did, indeed, influence our lives. Groundhog Day originated in the United States when Dutch immigrants from Germanic areas of Europe settled in Pennsylvania. They brought with them the tradition of Candlemas, when clergy would bless and dole out candles to the villagers equal to the number of days the clerics believed winter would continue. The custom took place every February 2 It's a tradition that spans centuries, USA TODAY reports. Here's what to know about Groundhog Day. Weigh in on spring:Will Buckeye Chuck see his shadow? When is Groundhog Day? Groundhog Day is Feb. 2. Groundhog Day is a holiday celebrated in the United States and Canada on February 2, the Groundhog Day tradition may have begun as a bit of folk humor. The groundhog is known as Punxsutawney Phil, because the town where the Groundhog Day tradition originated is called Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. A big celebration is still held in the town to this Groundhog Day is a popular tradition in the United States and Canada. A crowd of upwards of 5000 people spent a night of revelry awaiting the sunrise and the groundhog's exit from his winter den. More: Where to watch Bill Murray's 1993 classic movie 'Groundhog Day' for Groundhog Day What is Groundhog Day? Groundhog Day is a tradition that has taken place annually in the town of PETA announced on Jan. 20 that it hopes to end the Punxsutawney Phil Groundhog Day tradition by offering a free vegan cake to Pennsylvania holiday observers. While the Groundhog Day tradition as we know it today started in 1887, Phil has been making his predictions since 1886. Download USA TODAY's app to get to the heart of news Tequila-flavored Crowds as large as 30,000 have turned out to Punxsutawney for multi-day Groundhog Day festivities, which the state calls a significant tourism boost for the town of fewer than 6,000 people. The groundhog is known as Punxsutawney Phil, because the town where the Groundhog Day tradition originated is called Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. A big celebration is still held in the town to this Annually, Groundhog Day falls on Feb. 2. Here's the tradition behind the holiday and why PETA wants to change it.
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