What is Groundhog Day and why is it celebrated on February 2?
On February 2, Groundhog Day is celebrated in the United States and Canada, a holiday that has gained worldwide fame thanks to movies and has been observed for 137 years in the town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
As usual, hundreds of spectators gather at Globbler’s Knob to witness Phil, the groundhog, make his prediction while being watched by people from around the globe. But what is this Groundhog Day all about?
Phil predicts whether winter will last longer
Every February 2, Phil the groundhog emerges from his hibernation at Globbler’s Knob and is brought out of his burrow by members of the Groundhog Club. According to tradition, if the groundhog sees its shadow projected on the snow when it comes out, winter will endure for six more weeks. Otherwise, spring will arrive earlier than anticipated.
This tradition, practiced by farmers to predict the arrival of spring, originates from the Christian festival of Candlemas. According to tradition, if the sky is clear on February 2, winter will last longer. The Germanic tradition incorporated animals (in this case, the hedgehog) into the ritual, believing that if the animal casts a shadow, there will be six more weeks of cold weather.
Finally, in 1886, the holiday made its way to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where members of The Groundhog Club declared Phil the groundhog as the sole creature capable of predicting the weather, specifically on Candlemas Day.