Groundhog Day by Will Punxsutawney Phil Shall See His Shadow

Groundhog Day by Will Punxsutawney Phil Shall See His Shadow

Groundhog Day began in 1886 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Groundhog Day or Groundhog Day is a traditional holiday celebrated in the United States and Canada each year on February 2, four days before the transition day between the winter solstice and the vernal equinox.

The traditional weather forecast says that when a marmot comes out of its burrow on Groundhog Day and does not see its shadow due to the overcast weather, winter will soon be over. However, when the groundhog is able to see its shadow due to the bright, sunny weather, it will be startled by the bright light and flee to its burrow, meaning that winter will be around for another six weeks.

Marmots belong to the rodent family and belong to a large group of squirrels called marmots.

History tells us that as early as the fifth century, the European Celts believed that certain animals had supernatural powers on a special day halfway between the winter solstice and the vernal equinox. They believed that if bears and woodchucks emerged from their winter dens too early, they would fear their own shadows and return to their dens for another four to six weeks of hibernation.

The first known American reference to Groundhog Day is on February 4, 1841 in Morgantown, Pennsylvania. He wrote in the diary of dealer James Morris; “Last Tuesday 2 was Candlemas Day, the day the Germans say the marmot comes out of its winter quarters and when it sees its shadow it comes back for another six weeks of siesta, but if it's a cloudy day stay out , because the weather should be moderate.

In the United States, the tradition of Groundhog Day comes from a famous Scottish poem:
When the light grows longer
The cold grows stronger
When Candlemas is bright and bright
Winter will have another fight
When At Candlemas clouds and Snow
Winter passes and does not return
A farmer must have half the wheat and half the hay at Candlemas
At Candlemas when the thorns hang a drop
You can be sure of a good pea harvest.


Groundhog Day celebrations began in Pennsylvania, and the city of Punxsutawney first celebrated Groundhog Day in the 19th century. It started with humor and continues to this day. Every year on February 2nd their groundhog, known as Punxsutawney Phil, comes out of his den and predicts the weather. If Phil can't see his shadow, winter is still six weeks away, but if Phil can't see his shadow, spring will begin.

Phil's forecast is said to be over 50% Vicar, although Punxsutawney locals say it's apparently 100% Vicar.

While Groundhog Day sounds like a pretty weird holiday to many, it's just a fun and wacky way to watch the weather. Many school children play during the day and learn about the weather and even marmots. They often learn about hibernation, as well as the winter solstice and vernal equinox. Although the party is a little odd, it builds on a strong tradition while aiming to educate and entertain at the same time.