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 answer is in his name. The groundhog is known as Punxsutawney Phil, because the town where the Groundhog Day tradition originated is called Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. A big celebration is 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 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. The Pennsylvania Lottery's mascot is a groundhog named Gus, referred to in commercials as "the second most famous groundhog in Pennsylvania", in deference to Phil. [26] Because the Groundhog Club Inner Circle has trademarked the use of the name "Punxsutawney Phil", no commercial entity may use the name without the permission from the Inner Groundhog Day is a tradition that has taken place annually in the town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania since Feb. 2, 1987. A groundhog, also known as a woodchuck, is brought out at sunrise to make a prediction on how the remaining winter will play out. 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. The beginning of February, which falls roughly halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox , has long been a significant time of the year in many Phil is the marmot of renown celebrated in the town’s annual Groundhog Day festival. Phil was given his name in 1961. Some speculate that he was indirectly named for Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh at the time. The History of Punxsutawney Phil. The Groundhog Day celebration has been a tradition in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania since 1886. In 1998, a groundhog club leader wearing a $4,000 groundhog suit reported being assaulted by a half-dozen young men. Alcohol is now prohibited at Gobbler's Knob, Phil's spot some 80 miles (123 The legendary groundhog’s name comes from Punxsutawney, the Pennsylvania town that has hosted the largest Groundhog Day celebration since 1887. The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club also claims that he was named after King Philip, although exact details remain vague. “Phil” received his official name in the 1960s, which cemented Punxsutawney What is Groundhog Day? Groundhog Day is an "unusual holiday," according to the Farmers Almanac, that dates back centuries to European traditions. 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 In Punxsutawney, 1886 marked the first time that Groundhog Day appeared in the local newspaper. The following year brought the first official trek to Gobbler’s Knob. Each year since then has seen a steady increase in participation of the celebration from people all over the world. Years later, another incident occurred. During a 2014 Groundhog Day ceremony, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio dropped the animal, who had been secretly replaced with his granddaughter Charlotte. With a groundhog name befitting a Cajun groundhog, Pierre C. Shadeaux is the premier weather prognosticator in Louisiana. However, they see things a little differently at the Zoo of Acadiana You probably know the holiday just by the name “Punxsutawney,” as the town shares its name with the hero of the day, the groundhog Punxsutawney Phil. Groundhog Day is most famous at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, the site where Punxsutawney Phil leaves his burrow on the morning of Feb. 2 to predict whether we will have an early spring. 1993 - Columbia Pictures releases the movie, "Groundhog Day," starring Bill Murray.In the years following the release of the movie, crowds numbering as high as 30,000 have visited Gobbler's Knob The legendary groundhog’s name comes from Punxsutawney, the Pennsylvania town that has hosted the largest Groundhog Day celebration since 1887. The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club also claims that he was named after King Philip, although exact details remain vague. “Phil” received his official name in the 1960s, which cemented Punxsutawney Groundhog Day is a piece of American tradition starring a rodent and his dedicated guardians. Cody Combs. January 19, 2024. English. Arabic. Copy link; Share on X; European Origins. The origins of Groundhog Day date back to medieval Europe. The day of 2 February corresponds with Candlemas, a Christian festival (see Religious Festivals) during which candles are lit, hence the celebration’s name.
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