How did Groundhog Day get started?

Groundhog Day has its roots in the ancient Christian tradition of Candlemas, when clergy would bless and distribute candles needed for winter. The candles represented how long and cold the winter would be. Germans expanded on this concept by selecting an animal—the hedgehog—as a means of predicting weather.

Who started Groundhog Day and why?

The first Groundhog Day celebration in Punxsutawney was the brainchild of local newspaper editor Clymer Freas, who sold a group of businessmen and groundhog hunters—known collectively as the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club—on the idea.

What is the purpose of Groundhog Day?

Groundhog Day, in the United States and Canada, day (February 2) on which the emergence of the groundhog (woodchuck) from its burrow is said to foretell the weather for the following six weeks.

How many Punxsutawney Phil's have there been?

How many "Phils" have there been over the years? There has only been one Punxsutawney Phil. He has been making predictions since 1886! Punxsutawney Phil gets his longevity from drinking the "elixir of life," a secret recipe.

What happens if the groundhog doesn't come out?

The legend is simple. If the groundhog sees his shadow and retreats to his burrow, cold weather will persist into March. If he doesn't see his shadow, spring will begin.

The Real Story of Groundhog Day

Was Groundhog Day an original idea?

Originating in a philosophical text, the original idea for Groundhog Day came to screenwriter Danny Rubin and director Harold Ramis from the book The Gay Science, an iconic work from German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche where the writer describes a man living the same day over and over.

How many times has the groundhog been correct?

The animal prognosticator has been at it since the 1880s. Records kept by the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club show Phil has predicted 105 continued winters and only 20 early springs. According to the Stormfax Almanac, that works out to a 39% accuracy rate for Phil.

How accurate is Groundhog Day?

Data from the Stormfax Almanac's data shows that Phil's six-week prognostications have been correct about 39% of the time.

When was the last time groundhog didn't see shadow?

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.

Is Punxsutawney Phil the same groundhog?

According to the lore, there is only one Phil, and all other groundhogs are impostors. It is claimed that this one groundhog has lived to make weather prognostications since 1886, sustained by drinks of "groundhog punch" or "elixir of life" administered at the annual Groundhog Picnic in the fall.

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.

Did the ground hog see its shadow?

This article is in your queue. Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog that predicts the weather every February, saw its shadow Wednesday, meaning it anticipates six more weeks of winter this year. But his New York rival, Staten Island Chuck, saw it differently. He saw no shadow, his handlers said, which means early spring.

How old is Punxsutawney Phil?

HOW OLD IS PHIL? According to Groundhog Club members, there has only been one Phil — and he has been predicting since 1887. That makes him 135 years old! The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club was established in 1887 by a group of groundhog hunters.

Where does Punxsutawney Phil live all year?

According to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club website, Phil lives in a manmade burrow at a roadside zoo located in Punxsutawney. His burrow has a viewing window, meaning the public can stop by and observe him every day of the year. He lives there with his wife, Phyliss.

Is Groundhog Day sexist?

On the more overt side of things, Groundhog Day is full of blatant sexism, disguised, as it often is, as a “joke.” These “jokes” start right away: in the very first scene, Bill Murray's character Phil Connors dismissively addresses his female co-anchor as “Hairdo.” 7 minutes and 4 seconds into the movie, he asks Andie ...

Who dropped the groundhog?

De Blasio accidentally dropped Charlotte, the 10-month-old female groundhog during the 2014 proceedings.

How did Phil break the loop?

PHIL : As he crosses to the bed, he accidentally knocks over the suitcase stand, spilling his clothes out onto the floor.

Who is the most famous groundhog?

Punxsutawney Phil gets his longevity from drinking 'groundhog punch' (a secret recipe)," according to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. "One sip, which is administered every summer at the Groundhog Picnic, gives him seven more years of life." The Pennsylvania club claims the creature is 132 years old.

Who is the handler of Punxsutawney Phil?

Groundhog handler AJ Derume holds Punxsutawney Phil, who saw his shadow, predicting a late spring during the 136th annual Groundhog Day festivities on Feb.

How old was the old groundhog?

Legend says Punxsutawney Phil is 135 years old

According to AL.com, Groundhog Club members claim that there's only ever been one Phil. He has been predicting the weather since 1887, which makes him 135 years old in 2022.

Did the groundhog died 2022?

New Jersey groundhog Milltown Mel dies ahead of Groundhog Day, February 2, 2022 - The Washington Post.

Did the groundhog see its shadow February 2nd 2022?

On Feb. 2, 2022, Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his tree stump with the help of his inner circle and saw his shadow -- predicting six more weeks of winter -- during a ceremony in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

Which groundhog is the most accurate?

The most accurate of all rodent prognosticators - General Beauregard Lee, widely considered the "Punxsutawney Phil of the South". Lee holds a 63% accuracy rating nationally, with a 70-80% accuracy rating for certain regions of the United States.

What does it mean if Phil 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.

What tradition followed the original Groundhog Day events?

Groundhog Day has its roots in the ancient Christian tradition of Candlemas, when clergy would bless and distribute candles needed for winter. The candles represented how long and cold the winter would be.