The idea of the phenomenon comes from German settlers in the 1700s when they brought a tradition known as “Candlemas Day”. If the sun came out on February 2nd (halfway between winter and spring) it meant 6 more weeks of winter were coming.
Ever since 1841, the tradition has been alive and well in America that if a groundhog were to see its shadow on February 2nd, 6 more cold weeks of winter would have to be endured. But how did the origin come about, and why do people believe in it?
The idea of the phenomenon comes from German settlers in the 1700s when they brought a tradition known as “Candlemas Day”. If the sun came out on February 2nd (halfway between winter and spring) it meant 6 more weeks of winter were coming.
The earliest reference to Groundhog Day however happened in 1886 in Pennsylvania when the groundhog was used as a replacement for a badger to watch for his shadow and therefore Pennsylvania became the “Weather Capital of the World”.
Since then the tradition continues and Punxsutawney Phil lives in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Phil originally gained popularity when a local newspaper coined him the “Groundhog Day meteorologist” and now multiple cities have their own groundhog!
But, the question still remains as to why it is widely celebrated. If you look at the odds, the accuracy is far from great. In history the groundhog has only been recorded not seeing his shadow 12 times out of 114.
Regardless, it is still a event taken seriously in America to predict the weather and we’ll look to Phil again next February! See you soon.
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