Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day: An Exciting Prelude to Spring
February 2 marks the celebration of Groundhog Day, a tradition based on weather lore and origins as early as the fifth century. It is believed that when the groundhog (woodchuck) comes out of his home and sees his shadow then winter will be extended for a few more weeks. However, if the groundhog does not see his shadow then spring is believed to be just around the corner.
Although based on superstition, this belief also has some common sense attached to it. In winter when people’s shadows can be clearly seen, this means that the day will turn out to be a cold one due to the absence of clouds which is said to shield off the cold.
Why Groundhogs?
Centuries ago, this belief started when people began to watch the actions of hibernating animals. The healthy number of groundhogs then made it convenient for people to keep an eye out for these rodents to emerge from their burrows. Thus, the groundhog’s coming in to sight gives them the sign that transition from winter to spring has finally begun.
Why February?
This tradition falls on early February because this is normally the time of the change of seasons--winter to spring.
Similarly, an early Christian tradition known as Candlemas Day marks Mary’s ritual purification. In addition, this day also provided the Christians with their own belief of the change of seasons. It was the Christians’ belief, that the appearance of the sun during this day would tell them that winter will last longer while its absence signals the opposite. Early in history, this tradition was celebrated in different versions and on different dates. Among those who celebrated similar traditions in ancient times were early Romans and Irish pagans.
Current Trends
Nowadays, this is popularly celebrated by Americans and Canadians alike. Americans have nicknamed their popular groundhog Punxsutawney Phil, whose appearance during Groundhog’s Day is actually monitored.
This tradition started in the 1880’s when a group in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania went out to look for groundhogs during Candlemas Day. It quickly became a tradition, and an official event seven years after centered on a certain groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil. This popular rodent is now conveniently located in a controlled environment beside the Punxsutawney Library. This rodent’s popularity reached Hollywood status when it starred in the movie Groundhog Day back in 1993. This comedy movie’s main star was Bill Murray, who played a selfish person who was doomed to repeat Groundhog Day until he learned his lesson.
Celebrity Hogs
A number of groundhogs in addition to Punxsutawney Phil of Pennsylvania are being monitored today in commemoration of this tradition. These rodents have been part of their community’s weather forecasts and have served to entertain Groundhog Day fans. Among the popular rodents are: Staten Island Chuck (New York City); General Beauregard Lee (Snellville, Georgia); Birmingham Bill (Birmingham, Alabama) and Buckeye Chuck (Marion, Ohio). Meanwhile, Canada relies on the albino rodent they named Wiarton Willie (Wiarton, Ontario).
In America, the predictions of our weather-guru rodent friends are officially recorded in the Congressional Records of National Archive. It has been recorded that Punxsutawney Phil has seen his shadow roughly 85% of the time.