The History of Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day is a tradition in the United States and Canada. On February 2nd each year, the groundhog comes out of his burrow after a long winter sleep to take a look for his shadow.

If the groundhog sees his shadow, it's an omen of six more weeks of bad weather. The groundhog, of course, goes then back into his burrow to continue sleeping.

If, however, the day is cloudy and without shadows, the groundhog stays above ground, taking it for a sign of spring.

In my opinion, the most famous of all groundhogs is undoubtedly Punxsutawney Phil.

Punxsutawney held its first Groundhog Day in the 1800s. The first official trek to Gobbler's Knob was made on February 2, 1887, according to the Punxsutawney groundhog club.

Where is the history of the Groundhog Day rooted?

As STORMFAX, Inc. reports, Groundhog Day is rooted in European traditions. Groundhog Day stems from another tradition known as Candlemas Day. Germans were Pennsylvania's earliest settlers. German Settlers, arriving in the 1700s in Pennsylvania, celebrated Candlemas Day. For centuries, the custom was to have the clergy bless candles and distribute them to the people. Between Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox, superstition held that if the weather was fair, the second half of winter would be cold.

There are many old sayings about Candlemas and Groundhog Day, listed on STORMFAX, Inc.:

Old English saying:

If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Winter has another flight.
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Winter will not come again.

From Germany:

For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day,
So far will the snow swirl until May.
For as the snow blows on Candlemas Day,
So far will the sun shine before May.

And from America:

If the sun shines on Groundhog Day;
Half the fuel and half the hay.

STORMFAX, Inc. website):

February 4, 1841 from Morgantown, Berks County (Pennsylvania) storekeeper James Morris' diary..."Last Tuesday, the 2nd, was Candlemas day, the day on which, according to the Germans, the Groundhog peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back for another six weeks nap, but if the day be cloudy he remains out, as the weather is to be moderate."

Movies about Groundhog Day

The comedy Groundhog Day, taking place in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, stars actors Bill Murrey and Andy MacDowell. As Wikipedia describes, Bill Murray plays a cynical weatherman who is forced to relive Groundhog Day over and over again until he becomes a better person.

And if you've ever wondered, the Punxsutawney groundhog club says that the average groundhog is 20 inches long and weighs from 12 to 15 pounds. Punxsutawney Phil weighs about 20 pounds and is 22 inches long.

Hopefully, Punxsutawney Phil predicts an early spring on February 2nd, 2008!

Sources:

The official site of the Punxsutawney groundhog club, http://www.groundhog.org

Stormfax Weather Almanac, http://www.stormfax.com/ghogday.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groundhog_day