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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 Yet there, it is a badger that's used to make the determinations of the forthcoming change of seasons, the reason the practice came to use a groundhog in the U.S. is simply because badgers are 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 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 3 of 15 | . FILE - The groundhog saw his shadow, Feb. 2, 1954, as the sun peeked through an overcast sky at Washington Park Zoo in Milwaukee, Wis. The arrival of annual Groundhog Day celebrations Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, will draw thousands of people to see celebrity woodchuck Phil at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa. — an event that exploded in popularity after the 1993 Bill Murray movie. If a hedgehog saw its shadow, there would be a "second winter" or six more weeks of bad weather, according to German lore. He has a theory for why Groundhog Day became, and remains, so popular An unusual, yet beloved holiday February 2nd is Groundhog Day, the day when a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil predicts whether or not we will have six more weeks of winter. If he sees his shadow, more cold is on the way; if not, warmer weather is coming. While this holiday may seem like a silly tradition, it has a surprisingly deep history. Ancient Traditions Whether you‘re a true believer in Phil‘s prognosticating powers or simply enjoy the spectacle of it all, there‘s no denying the charm and humor of Groundhog Day. So this February 2nd, join the crowds at Gobbler‘s Knob (or tune in from the comfort of your own burrow) and raise a toast to Punxsutawney Phil, the weather-predicting wonder. There was Beltane, which marks the first day of summer; Lughnasadh, Groundhog Day isn’t the only cross-quarter holiday that has stuck to the modern calendar: many people now celebrate May Learn about the ancient origins and modern traditions of Groundhog Day, a festival that involves watching a groundhog predict the weather. Find out how groundhogs and other animals can teach us about the climate and our culture. If there's no shadow, that's a sign of an early spring. Groundhog Day is an "unusual holiday," according to the Farmers Almanac, that dates back centuries to European traditions. E very year on February 2, crowds gather at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to watch a groundhog emerge for the day—just like in the classic Bill Murray film Groundhog Day.You From watching the classic Bill Murray movie Groundhog Day to reenacting your first date with your significant other, there are plenty of ways to enjoy this holiday in style. If you’re looking for something a little different to break the monotony of the winter season, here are some fun and unique ways to celebrate Groundhog Day. 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. 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 You're probably wondering why Groundhog Day occurs on February 2. There's a reason. The Christian holiday of Candlemas Day traditionally was celebrated then. On that day, Christians would take There’s some speculation that Murray didn’t care for Groundhog Day because it was one in a series of films he did with Ramis. The pair had become a highly coveted comedic team after working Towards the beginning of Groundhog Day, Phil Connors gets into the shower. The water is freezing. He jumps out. A minute later, he encounters the innkeeper in the hallway. Phil: Yo, ma'am. Isn't there any hot water? Innkeeper: (laughing) No, there wouldn't be today! Phil: Of course not. Silly me. Why wouldn't there be hot water on a particular day? 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
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