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 Groundhog Day is a widely celebrated tradition in North America, particularly in the United States and Canada. Every year on February 2nd, people eagerly await the emergence of a groundhog from its burrow to predict the arrival of spring. However, this unique holiday is not limited to just these two countries. Groundhog Day is a holiday celebrated annually on February 2nd in North America with origins in ancient European weather lore. Similar traditions can be found in other parts of the world, such as Candlemas Day in Europe and the Chinese New Year in Asia. Among these is Candlemas Day, February 2nd, a Christian holiday that celebrates Mary's ritual purification. Early Christians believed that if the sun came out on Candlemas Day, winter would last for six weeks more. The ancient Romans observed a mid-season festival on 5 February, and the pagan Irish celebrated Imbolc around 1 February. In many Today all across the US and Canada, many communities celebrate their own version of Groundhog Day. In Canada alone, there are a half dozen places with a Groundhog Day tradition. In French Canada the day is called Jour de la marmotte. “Fred la marmotte of Val-d’Espoir” has been the winter forecaster for the province of Quebec since 2009. Sand Mountain Sam: People in Alabama celebrate Groundhog Day by referring to Sand Mountain Sam, who just happens to be an opossum. Jimmy the Groundhog: Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, has been calling itself “The Groundhog Capital of the World” since 1948, when it was a way to commemorate Wisconsin’s centennial year. The Christian celebration of Candlemas or the Candelora (day of lights), which has origins in the 4th Century, is celebrated on 2 February in Christian communities around the world. 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. The first official Groundhog Day was celebrated on February 2, 1886, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. The local newspaper, The Punxsutawney Spirit, printed the proclamation "Today is groundhog day and up to the time of going to press the beast has not seen its shadow." Over time, the Groundhog Day tradition integrated with local customs, creating a unique celebration that persisted through the years. The American tradition has a big focus on Punxsutawney Phil. The event is organized by the “Groundhog Club,” who communicate with Phil in a language known as “Groundhogese” to interpret his prediction Groundhog Day is a popular tradition that takes place in North America, particularly in the United States and Canada. Every year, Groundhog Day is on February 2. Groundhog Day came from the Pennsylvania Dutch. The colonists believed that if a groundhog came out of its burrow and saw its shadow due to clear weather, it would retreat back into The Brief. Woodstock, Illinois, became the filming location for "Groundhog Day" (1993), and the town now celebrates the movie with an annual festival that attracts visitors from around the world. Groundhog Day celebrations are an entertaining way to break up the bleakness of winter. Families can get in on the Groundhog action and do their own weather-predicting activities and other fun stuff. The following are some creative ways to celebrate Groundhog Day. Canada observes it too, I think. And a number of countries have cultural traditions that if certain zoological or meteorological things happen on a certain day, that foretells the weather or the ending of the seasons, so it's not like groundhog day is too crazy. What are the 2 countries that celebrate groundhog’s Day? The popular tradition is observed in both the United States and Canada on Feb. 2. What country is Groundhog Day? PUNXSUTAWNEY, Penn. - Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania is the Mecca for those around the country celebrating Groundhog Day. Every year, on Feb. 2, tens of thousands of people flock to this small town of less than 6,000 people some 80 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, to see whether the town's rodent Other countries may have their own variations of weather-related folklore and traditions, but Groundhog Day, as it is known, is not widely celebrated beyond North America. 3. The first official Groundhog Day was in 1887 Groundhog Day Crafts For Kids. Torn Paper Groundhog Craft – Have your little ones create a groundhog peeking out of his burrow with torn paper! Tearing paper helps build fine motor skills and strengthens hand muscles, making this activity fun and beneficial. It’s a playful, hands-on way to celebrate Groundhog Day! Related: 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.
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