1. February 2
Groundhog Day

2. How Did the Groundhog Get a Day of His Own?

3. .
The lowly groundhog, often called a woodchuck, is the only mammal to have a day named in his honour. Granted, it’s not a federal holiday; nobody gets off work. But still, to have a day named after you is quite a feat .

4. .
It stems from the ancient belief that hibernating creatures were able to predict the arrival of springtime by their emergence
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The German immigrants known as Pennsylvania Dutch brought the tradition to America in the 18th century. They had once regarded the badger as the winter-spring barometer. But the job was reassigned to the groundhog after importing their Candlemas traditions to the USA
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6. Traditionally, it was believed. that if Candlemas was sunny,
Traditionally, it was believed that if Candlemas was sunny, the remaining six weeks of winter would be stormy and cold. But if it rained or snowed on Candlemas, the rest of the winter would be mild. If an animal "sees its shadow," it must be sunny, so more wintry weather is predicted:
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7. If Candlemas be fair and bright, Winter has another flight
If Candlemas be fair and bright, Winter has another flight. If Candlemas brings clouds and rain, Winter will not come again.

8. “Official” American groundhog has been keeping in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

9. Pennsylvania’s official celebration of Groundhog Day began on February 2nd, 1886 with a proclamation in The Punxsutawney Spirit by the newspaper’s editor, Clymer Freas: “Today is groundhog day and up to the time of going to press the beast has not seen its shadow.”

10. There was held a special Punxsutawney groundhog club

11. Phil’s debut performance: no shadow - early Spring got true.
The groundhog was given the name “Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators, and Weather Prophet Extraordinary'’. His hometown thus called the “Weather Capital of the World.'’
Phil’s debut performance: no shadow - early Spring got true.

12. The legendary first trip to Gobbler’s Knob was made the following year.
Up on Gobbler’s Knob, Phil is placed in a heated burrow underneath a simulated tree stump on stage before being pulled out at 7:25 a.m. to make his prediction

13. Every February 2, amid cries of welcome early in the morning, “Punxsutawney Phil” is pulled from his den by his keepers, who are dressed in tuxedos.
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14. Phil then whispers his weather prediction into the ear of his keeper, who then announces it to the anxiously-awaiting crowd

15. On Groundhog’s Day, we follow legend Our eyes look to the ground For a sleepy little woodchuck In Punxsutawney town.
If Phil, the brown haired critter Comes out into the light And quickly sees his shadow He’ll bounce back out of sight.

16. He’ll slip into his burrow For spring is far away Six more weeks of winter The price that we will pay.
But should the day be cloudy Ole Phil will wander out With spring around the corner He’ll spread the news about.

17. This fun to follow legend It brightens up our day To think the bliss of springtime Is not that far away.
Written By: Marilyn Ferguson © 2004