Groundhog Day is observed on February 2 of every year in the United States of America and Canada. It is a popular observance among many Americans, and it focuses on the tradition of the groundhog coming out of its den to forecast the weather. Many Americans believe that if it is sunny when the groundhog comes out of its hole and sees its shadow, it means the winter will continue for 6 more weeks. In that case, they will go back into his home and will sleep again. But suppose if it is cloudy while it comes out and cannot see its own shadow, then it stays outside to play, then people will start celebrating by believing that spring is about to come.
“The groundhog is like most other prophets; it delivers its prediction and then disappears.” – Bill Vaughn.
History of Groundhog Day
The day was first celebrated in the United States in the year 1887. Clymer H. Freas, the editor of the local paper Punxsutawney Spirit, started encouraging the groundhogs as the official Groundhog Day meteorologist. Even though some places have, in some cases, started celebrating their groundhogs, Punxsutawney Phil, the official groundhog, lives near Punxsutawney at Gobbler’s Knob, Pennsylvania. Every year, thousands of visitors come to Punxsutawney on 2nd February to participate in this celebration. The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club plays a vital role in arranging the Day in the town. Also, many Club members, visitors, locals, and reporters gather at Gobbler’s Knob on 2nd February of every year to see the appearance of Phil and his weather prediction. Pennsylvania’s governor attends ceremonies of Groundhog Day. Punxsutawney observed its 1st Groundhog Day in the 1800s in the United States. This day also gained popularity with the release of the film Groundhog Day in 1993. All these started so many decades before nature and animal worship was popular; people of Europe believed that the badger could estimate the coming of spring. They will plant their crops after the badger predicts the weather. But later, sadly, in Pennsylvania, there were not many badgers, so the groundhog substituted the badger.
Other Celebrations on February 2
February 2 is also celebrated as
- National Hedgehog Day
- Marmot Day
- National Crepe Day
- World Wetlands Day
- National Tater Tot Day
- World Play Your Ukulele Day
- Lung Leavin Day
- Candlemas Day
- National Sled Dog Day
- Bubble Gum Day
- National Working Naked Day
- National Wear Red Day
How to Celebrate the Day
If you want to participate in the annual day celebration, then go to Pennsylvania; if you can’t make it to Pennsylvania, then try participating in the events organized on the day in other places. If you cannot participate in the event, then take some time to look at the celebration of the day online and check if the groundhog has seen its shadow. Then, post pictures and share your thoughts about the day with others on social media using the hashtag #GroundhogDay.
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