Groundhog Day was popularized by the 1993 movie "Groundhog Day," starring Bill Murray. The film brought widespread attention to the tradition. The Groundhog's Role. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, play a central role in this unique celebration. Here are some interesting facts about these furry forecasters. Groundhog Day on February 2nd aligns with Candlemas, a ‘cross-quarter’ day marking the midpoint between the winter solstice and spring equinox. Brought by German immigrants in Pennsylvania, this day traditionally predicts the weather: a sunny Candlemas indicates six more weeks of winter, while cloudy weather suggests an early spring, making Groundhog Day weather predictions were added to this list, as captured in an article in The Miami Herald from February 2, 1943, where forecaster H. A Downes stated that ‘To broadcast that a groundhog does or doesn’t see his shadow might reveal sky conditions to the enemy. Annual Groundhog Day predictions will have to be skipped.’ 6. Here are some Groundhog Day facts that may help answer those kid questions. Photo by Chris Flook. Here are some of our teacher team’s favorite fun Groundhog Day facts for kids: The most famous groundhog on Groundhog Day is Punxsutawney Phil, who lives in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Phil isn’t the first groundhog to celebrate the holiday "Groundhog Day" the movie put Punxsutawney Phil on the map. Getty Images After the release of the 1993 film starring Bill Murray, attendance to the big event in Punxsutawney exploded, drawing As the myth of Groundhog Day goes, if a groundhog sees its shadow on February 2, winter will last another six weeks. And while Punxsutawney Phil’s handlers maintain 100 percent accuracy in his Groundhog Day has its roots in another February 2 celebration. Groundhog Day is an offshoot of the Christian celebration of Candlemas, which is held every February 2—exactly 40 days after Groundhog Facts Also known as woodchucks, groundhogs belong to a group of large ground squirrels known as marmots. They grow up to 25 inches long and can live for 10 years in captivity. Facts. The groundhog emerges from its burrow on February 2. If the groundhog sees its shadow when it emerges, there will be six more weeks of winter. ALSO SEE: The legend of the immortal Groundhog Fun Facts. 1. Punxsutawney Phil is the official groundhog forecaster on February 2, but many states have their own (like New York’s Staten Island Chuck). 2. Phil’s full name, granted by the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, is Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators, and Weather Prophet Groundhog Day has its roots in another February 2 celebration. Groundhog Day is an offshoot of the Christian celebration of Candlemas, which is held every February 2—exactly 40 days after The movie Groundhog Day made groundhog day much more famous. The movie Groundhog Day, filmed in Woodstock, Illinois, was made in 1993, made groundhog day more famous. The film is a comedy film for which Harold Ramis and Danny Rubin wrote the screenplay, and it stars Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, and Chris Elliott. Murray plays Phil Connors, a Groundhog Day may sound silly, but the traditions and little facts of the day really make it a fun one to share with your kids. You can stream Punxsutawney Phil coming out of his burrow on Feb. 2 With Feb. 2 just around the corner, here are some fun facts about Phil and his Groundhog Club, based in Punxsutawney, Pa. Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow during annual Groundhog Day event in That’s only 2% higher than the national average of 37%. Currently, the most accurate groundhog prognosticator lives in Yellowknife, California and has a 50% accuracy rate. 7. Groundhog Day was almost Badger Day instead. Groundhog Day originally evolved from Candlemas, a celebration of both literal and religious light. What’s up with this crazy holiday? We have some fun facts to fill you in on Phil. The groundhog wakes up from hibernation on February 2. If the groundhog sees its shadow when it emerges from its burrow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If it does not see its shadow, spring will arrive soon. This tradition started in Europe as Candlemas Day. Germans who settled in Pennsylvania in the National Groundhog Day Celebrations. National Groundhog Day is celebrated in various ways across North America. In Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, the festivities start a day before with a Groundhog Day Eve celebration. This includes live music, food vendors, and a bonfire to keep warm during the winter night. Other towns have their own versions of A groundhog’s teeth grow a sixteenth of an inch each week to accommodate its endless appetite and frequent chomping away at every garden vegetable (as the Sheldrake Giving Garden can attest) and forest plant it can find. Happy Groundhog Day to all. I consider it the best “holiday,” as it is also my birthday. In many places, the local groundhog is a beloved figure, and the celebration of Groundhog Day is a time for people to come together and celebrate the changing of the seasons. One of the most interesting things about Groundhog Day is the way it has been embraced by popular culture. A woodchuck, or groundhog, during the warm months of grassy abundance. The groundhog, also known as the woodchuck or the mouse bear (because it looks like a miniature bear when sitting upright), first won its reputation as a weather prognosticator in 1886, when the editor of western Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Spirit newspaper, one Clymer Freas, published a report that local groundhogs had
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