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 Where is the largest celebration outside of the US for Groundhog Day? While the largest festivities in the United States are typically found in and around Punxsutawney, other towns and cities like Woodstock, Illinois and Hagerstown, Virginia have their own celebrations. 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. The Hummelstown Groundhog Day celebration in Dauphin County is a charming, small-town event that highlights community spirit and Pennsylvania’s beloved Groundhog Day tradition. Every year on Groundhog Day is a holiday observed in the United States and Canada on February 2nd. Its origins can be traced back to ancient European traditions, specifically the pagan festival of Imbolc. Imbolc marked the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, celebrating the impending arrival of spring. 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 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. This festival is a tradition similar to the United States' Groundhog Day, where the citizens herald in the new season by doing away with the old, dark days and ringing in the new. 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 in the United States was celebrated in 1887 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Groundhog Day came to Canada in 1956. Today, Punxsutawney Phil, the most famous groundhog of the US, and Canada’s Wiarton Willie, carry on the tradition, drawing thousands of visitors each year. The Punxsutawney groundhog makes predictions, but he’s not always predictable. The designated groundhog emerged before sunrise in 1929 and didn’t come out until late afternoon in 1941. Groundhog Day, Punxsutawney, 2013. The largest Groundhog Day celebration is held in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where crowds as large as 40,000 gather each year, [47] nearly eight times the year-round population of the town which is 5,769 as of 2020. [48] On Feb. 2 each year, members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, established in 1887, make their way to Pennsylvania’s Gobbler’s Knob, a rural area a couple of miles outside of the town of The Punxsutawney groundhog makes predictions, but he’s not always predictable. The designated groundhog emerged before sunrise in 1929 and didn’t come out until late afternoon in 1941. 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 largest Groundhog Day celebration is held in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where crowds as high as 40,000 have gathered to celebrate the holiday since at least 1886. Other celebrations of note in Pennsylvania take place in Quarryville in Lancaster County, the Anthracite Region of Schuylkill County, the Sinnamahoning Valley and Bucks County. Presidents' Day Third Monday in February Credit: turtix/Shutterstock. Originally created in memory of George Washington, whose birthday is February 22, Presidents Day is now seen as a time to celebrate all U.S. Presidents. However, history tells us that this holiday was instituted specifically to honor our nation’s first leader. Washington A popular event in the US, Groundhog Day is a tradition that spans centuries, cultures, and even continents. Its origins are mysterious, associated with ancient times and the awakening of animals after their winterlong sleep. On this day, the groundhog wakes from its hibernation, comes out of its den, and people await its forecast of an early spring or a longer winter. So, we had to ask: What World’s Largest Groundhog. What is the World’s Largest Groundhog? Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are fascinating creatures that play a crucial role in North America’s ecosystem. These burrowing rodents are the largest members of the squirrel family (Sciuridae) and are known for their impressive size and robust build. Is Groundhog Day celebrated outside the United States? Groundhog Day is primarily a North American tradition, with its largest observance in the United States and some celebrations in Canada. Similar traditions involving animals predicting the weather exist in other cultures, but they do not usually occur on February 2nd.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.