Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day isfestival celebrated inUSACanada on February 2.It has its rootsan ancient Celtic celebration called Imbolog. The dateone offour quarter days ofyear,midpoints betweenspringfall equinoxes andsummerwinter solstice. [1] The dayknown as Groundhog DayNorth America. ItrelatedCandlemasImbolc.
Tradition states that one must observegroundhog's burrow on this day. Ifgroundhog emergesfailssee its shadow becauseweathercloudy, winter will soon end; however, ifgroundhog sees its shadow becauseweatherbrightclear,will be frightenedrun back into its hole, andwinter will continuesix more weeks. Certain small towns have celebrated meteorological groundhogs, such as Punxsutawney PhilWiarton Willie.
The first Groundhog Day was observedPunxsutawney, Pennsylvania on February 2, 1887.
The U.S. tradition derived fromScottish couplet:
- If Candlemas Daybrightclear,
- there'll be two winters inyear.
External Links
- HistoryGroundhog Day
- Official site ofPunxsutawney, Penn., Groundhog Club. Also includes detailed history ofday.
- Humorous Top 10 ReasonsCelebrate Groundhog Day
- Google directory
- Groundhog Day songspopular tunes
Forromantic comedy movie called Groundhog Day see: Groundhog Day (movie)
