Groundhog Day is a popular North American tradition observed in the United States and Canada on February 2. It derives from the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog emerging from its burrow on this day sees its shadow due to clear weather, it will retreat to its den and winter will persist for six more weeks; if it does not see its shadow because of cloudiness, spring will arrive early. While the tradition remains popular in modern times, studies have found no consistent correlati
What is Groundhog Day, and why do we celebrate it?
Groundhog Day is widely celebrated for an animal meteorologist who will tell us when the cold winter will end. Groundhog Day is a very popular American holiday, but do you know why? Unlike holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or even Independence Day, the origins of Groundhog Day are somewhat unclear and remain a mystery to many people.
What is the story of Groundhog Day?
The cultural phenomenon and spiritual masterpiece Groundhog Day is centered around Phil (Bill Murray), a sarcastic local TV weatherman who finds himself reliving the same day over and over again, after he travels on location to the small town of Punxsutawney, filming a report based on the town's annual Groundhog Day.
What does the saying Groundhog Day mean?
What is the saying about Groundhog Day? When you say that something “is like Groundhog Day,” however, the accepted meaning is “ a situation in which events are or appear to be continually repeated” (dictionaries agree that this sense derives from the film).
What is the significance of Groundhog Day?
What is the meaning of Groundhog Day? The origin of this February holiday has its roots in the ancient Christian tradition of Candlemas Day. On this day, the Roman clergy would bless and distribute candles needed for winter. The candles symbolized how long winter would last—and how cold the weather would be.
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What is the saying about the groundhog?
Here at The Old Farmer's Almanac, we say, “If the groundhog sees his shadow, we'll have six more weeks of winter; if he doesn't, it'll be six weeks until spring.” Get it?
What did the groundhog say 2022?
Groundhog Day 2022: Punxsutawney Phil predicts 6 more weeks of winter as massive storm threatens wide swath of U.S. Pennsylvania's most famous groundhog emerged from his burrow on a cold Wednesday morning and saw his shadow, declaring there would be six more weeks of winter.
What is the saying if the groundhog sees his shadow?
Tradition says Phil seeing his shadow is a sign that the next six weeks will bring wintry weather. If Phil doesn't see his shadow, it means an early spring.
Did Phil the groundhog see his shadow 2022?
Groundhog handler AJ Derume holds Punxsutawney Phil, who saw his shadow, predicting a late spring during the 136th annual Groundhog Day festivities on Wednesday in Punxsutawney.
How accurate is the groundhog prediction?
According to the Stormfax Almanac, that works out to a 39% accuracy rate for Phil. In the near term, the groundhog's accuracy rate is slightly better. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Phil has been right about 40% of the time on average over the past decade.
What happens if the groundhog doesn't come out?
Groundhog Day Announcer: Our buddy, Punxsutawney Phil! As the tradition goes, every year on February 2, Phil the groundhog comes out of his hole in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. If he sees his shadow, we'll supposedly get 6 more weeks of winter. If he doesn't see his shadow, winter is supposedly over.
What happens when the groundhog dies?
Several wild theories are now circulating on Reddit, including one that suggests the groundhog's death is an “indicator of collapse”, implying that something bad could soon happen. A few others believe they will get six more months of winter as the annual ceremony did not take place.
Why does groundhog shadow mean more winter?
A groundhog's ability to divine the weather to come is based on whether or not he sees his shadow upon emerging from his dwelling. Clear skies bode ill for the weeks ahead as the groundhog will see his shadow and scurry back into his hovel meaning that there will be six more weeks of winter cold in store.
Did the groundhog died 2022?
MILLTOWN, N.J. — A New Jersey town's prognosticating groundhog has died ahead of his big day. According to NJ.com and CentralJersey.com, Milltown Mel, the star of Milltown's annual Groundhog Day ceremony, “recently crossed over the rainbow bridge,” his handlers announced Sunday on social media.
Did the groundhog see his shadow 2022 Ohio?
Groundhog Day 2022: Marion's Buckeye Chuck predicts an early spring. On the morning of a predicted blizzard not unlike the one in the popular movie, "Groundhog Day," Marion's own Buckeye Chuck did not see his shadow: Spring will come early, at least according to legend.
What was the results of Groundhog Day?
Punxsutawney today In 2019, the 133rd year of the tradition, the groundhog was summoned to come out at 7:25 am on February 2, but did not see its shadow.
What did Puxatony Phil see today?
Here's the result: according to his official handlers in the Groundhog Club, Phil saw his shadow which means, according to tradition, we are in for six more weeks of winter.
When is Groundhog Day?
According to folklore, if it is cloudy when a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day, then spring will come early; if it is sunny, the groundhog will supposedly see its shadow and retreat back into its burrow and the winter weather will persist for six more weeks.
When was Diabetes Day started?
Diabetes Day is a universal awareness campaign that was started in 1991 as a result of the increase in diabetes-related health threat cases.
Who said "My mother is my root, my foundation"?
She planted the seed that I base my life on, and that is the belief that the ability to achieve starts in your mind.” (Michael Jordan)
Who said "Mother is one to whom you hurry when you are troubled"?
Mother is one to whom you hurry when you are troubled.” (Emily Dickinson)
What is the American tradition of Groundhog Day?
For other uses, see Groundhog Day (disambiguation). Groundhog Day ( Pennsylvania German: Grund'sau dåk, Grundsaudaag, Grundsow Dawg, Murmeltiertag; Nova Scotia: Daks Day) is a popular North American tradition observed in the United States and Canada on February 2.
When was Groundhog Day first celebrated?
The first reported news of a Groundhog Day observance was arguably made by the Punxsutawney Spirit newspaper of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, in 1886: "up to the time of going to press, the beast has not seen its shadow". However, it was not until the following year in 1887 that the first Groundhog Day considered "official" was commemorated there, with a group making a trip to the Gobbler's Knob part of town to consult the groundhog. People have gathered annually at the spot for the event ever since.
What animal was used on Groundhog Day?
So the same tradition as the Germans, except that winter's spell would be prolonged for six weeks instead of four, was maintained by the Pennsylvanians on Groundhog Day. In Germany, the animal was dachs or badger. For the Pennsylvania Dutch, it became the dox which in Deitsch referred to "groundhog".
Why was Groundhog Day not brought by immigrants?
Scholar Rhys Carpenter in 1946 emphasized that the Badger Day tradition was strong in Germany, but absent in the British Isles , and he referred to this as a reason that the U.S. Groundhog Day was not brought by immigrants from these places.
When was the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club formed?
Either way, the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club was formed in 1899 , and continued the hunt and "Groundhog Feast", which took place annually in September. The "hunt" portion of it became increasingly a ritualized formality, because the practical procurement of meat had to occur well ahead of time for marinating.
Where is Groundhog Day held?
The Groundhog Day ceremony held at Punxsutawney in western Pennsylvania, centering on a semi-mythical groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil, has become the most frequently attended ceremony. Grundsow Lodges in Pennsylvania Dutch Country in the southeastern part of the state observe the occasion as well.
What county is Groundhog Day in?
Brendle also recorded the name "Grundsaudag" (Groundhog day in Lebanon County) and "Daxdaag" (Groundhog day in Northampton County). Victor Hugo, in "Les Misérables," (1864) discusses the day as follows:
When is Groundhog Day?
Celebrated every year on February 2 nd , Groundhog Day is a popular tradition in North America that if a groundhog comes out of his burrow on this day and sees its shadow and return to his den then the winters will continue for another six weeks and otherwise spring will come early.
Do you have to use your brain on Groundhog Day?
You don’t have to use your brains while celebrating the occasion of Groundhog Day.
What does Groundhog Day mean?
Groundhog Day used to mean something in this town . They used to pull the hog out, and they used to eat it. You're hypocrites, all of you!". Phil: "OK, campers, rise and shine, and don't forget your booties cause it's cold out there. It's cold out there every day.".
What does Phil say about the groundhog?
Phil: "There is no way that this winter is ever going to end as long as this groundhog keeps seeing his shadow. I don't see any other way out. He's got to be stopped. And I have to stop him."
Who played Phil in the movie Groundhog Day?
Poor Phil Connors (played with excellent drollness by Bill Murray) was forced to wake up day after day, reliving each run-in with Needlenose Ned, his producer Rita, and his cameraman, Larry.
What is Mary Jo DiLonardo's focus?
Mary Jo DiLonardo covers a wide range of topics focused on nature, health, science, and anything that helps make the world a better place. our editorial process. Mary Jo DiLonardo. Updated September 14, 2020.
Groundhog Day Messages
1). Alas! Must it ever be so? Do we stand in our own light, wherever we go, and fight our own shadows forever?
Funny Groundhog Day Quotes and Sayings
6). The groundhog is like most other prophets; it delivers its prediction and then disappears.
Definition of Groundhog Day
2 or less commonly groundhog day plural Groundhog Days also groundhog days : a situation in which the same usually negative or monotonous experiences occur repeatedly or are felt to occur repeatedly with no change or correction Last month … I wrote all about how this lockdown has stolen my fashion mojo, locking me in a Groundhog Day of joggers and knitted sets.
History and Etymology for Groundhog Day
from the superstition that a groundhog emerging from its burrow returns to hibernate if it sees its shadow on this day; (sense 2) after the film Groundhog Day (1993), with screenplay by Danny Rubin and Harold Ramis, in which the main character is forced to relive the same day (February 2, Groundhog Day) until he learns certain life lessons
What is Groundhog Day?
Groundhog Day was a term used by former President Clinton to refer to soldiers returning for a tour-of-duty to the same war-zone they've been to in the past. Oh #$@&!
Who is the daughter in law of Groundhog Day?
Get a groundhog day mug for your daughter-in-law Yasemin.
What is the day of rest for criminals?
Annual day of rest and/or leisure for all criminal occupations. Observed February 2nd, celebrations often involve use of cannibis and/or alcohol.
Overview
Groundhog Day (Pennsylvania German: Grund'sau dåk, Grundsaudaag, Grundsow Dawg, Murmeltiertag; Nova Scotia: Daks Day) is a popular North American tradition observed in the United States and Canada on February 2. It derives from the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day and sees its shadow due to clear weather, it will retreat to its den, and winter will go on for six more weeks; if it does not see its shadow becaus…
History
The Pennsylvania Dutch were immigrants from German speaking areas of Europe. The Germans had a tradition of marking Candlemas (February 2) as "Badger Day" (Dachstag), where if a badger emerging found it to be a sunny day thereby casting a shadow, it foreboded the prolonging of winter by four more weeks.
Regional celebrations
Mid-Atlantic
The Slumbering Groundhog Lodge, which was formed in 1907, has carried out the ceremonies that take place in Quarryville, Pennsylvania. It used to be a contending rival to Punxsutawney over the Groundhog Day fame. It employs a taxidermic specimen (stuffed woodchuck).
In Southeastern Pennsylvania, Groundhog Lodges (Grundsow Lodges) celebrate the holiday with
Accuracy
In Pennsylvania, Punxsutawney Phil has become a popular tradition. On February 2, people within the city will gather to find out whether or not Phil's shadow is revealed. With that, he will allegedly determine whether spring will soon begin by not seeing his shadow, or if winter will ensue for six more weeks.
Punxsutawney Phil's statistics are kept by the Pennsylvania's Groundhog Club which cares for th…
Similar customs
In Croatia and Serbia, Orthodox Christians have a tradition that on February 2 (Candlemas) or February 15 (Sretenje, The Meeting of the Lord), the bear will awaken from winter dormancy, and if it sees (meets) its own shadow in this sleepy and confused state, it will get scared and go back to sleep for an additional 40 days, thus prolonging the winter. Thus, if it is sunny on Sretenje, it is a sign that the winter is not over yet. If it is cloudy, it is a good sign that the winter is about to end.
Popular culture
The holiday gained more prominence with the release of the 1993 comedy film Groundhog Day with Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. The film became the 13th highest grossing of the year, with over $70 million at the box office. Over time, the film became a cult classic and significantly increased awareness and attendance at Groundhog Day events.
Further reading
• Old, W. C., and P. Billin-Frye (2004). The Groundhog Day Book of Facts and Fun. Morton Grove, IL: Albert Whitman.
• Pulling, A. F. (2001). Around Punxsutawney. Charleston, S.C.: Arcadia.
External links
• Groundhog Days Around the World
• Official Punxsutawney Groundhog Club
• Official Punxsutawney Phil Souvenir Shop, Punxsutawney, PA.
• A Holiday for Everyone - Punxsutawney Groundhog Day Short Documentary