Over the weekend, many Americans will forgo their weather apps or news generated by the National Weather Service and instead they will turn to a large rodent looking for advice on the duration of winter. Sunday, Feb. 2 is Groundhog’s Day.
In the U.S the most popular groundhog celebration originated in the year of 1887 in the town of Punxsutawney, Penn. Since then every year at Gobbler’s Knob on the outskirts of town Punxsutawney Phil has predicted whether winter is at an end or we are in for six more weeks of snow and freezing temperatures
His method is simple: he emerges from his winter slumber, sees his shadow, becomes frightened and retreats back into his den. Leaving us sentenced to six more weeks of winter. No shadow and spring will soon arrive. While this particular method has proven to be entertaining, his success rate looms at a dismal accuracy rate of only 39 percent.
Groundhog’s Day is rooted in an old German folklore and observance of the celebration of Candlemas. Candlemas, also on Feb. 2, is the midway point between the winter solstice and spring equinox. Original legend has a badger as the star of the weather forecast, but the process was the same.
Due to the fact that badgers were not native to eastern North America the U.S. modified the tradition with the groundhog that was plentiful in the area.
Pennsylvania is not the only U.S. state that holds large groundhog celebrations. There are over a dozen other states with their own version of festivals and groundhogs. Such as the Staten Island Chuck, Georgia’s General Beauregard Lee and Buckeye Chuck in Ohio.
