Groundhog Day in United States

Groundhog Day falls on February 2 in the United States, coinciding with Candlemas. It is a part of popular culture among many Americans and it centers on the idea of the groundhog coming out of its home to “predict” the weather.

The groundhog plays an important role on Groundhog Day. ©iStockphoto.com/David P. Lewis

What do people do?

Groundhog Day is a popular observance in many parts of the United States. Although some states have in some cases adopted their own groundhogs, the official groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, lives at Gobbler’s Knob near Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. The town has attracted thousands of visitors over the years to experience various Groundhog Day events and activities on February 2.

The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club plays an important role in organizing Groundhog Day in the town. Club members, news reporters, locals and visitors meet at Gobbler’s Knob on February 2 each year to await Phil’s appearance and his weather prediction.  Pennsylvania’s governor has been known to attend Groundhog Day ceremonies. Many weather researchers questioned the groundhog’s accuracy in predicting the weather but some of the groundhog’s fans may not agree.

Public life

Groundhog Day is an observance but it is not a public holiday in the United States. However areas around parks and some streets may be busy or congested in towns, such as Punxsutawney, where Groundhog Day events are popular.

Background

Thousands of years ago when animalism and nature worship were prevalent, people in the area of Europe now known as Germany believed that the badger had the power to predict the coming of spring. They watched the badger to know when to plant their crops. By the time the first German immigrants settled in Pennsylvania they probably understood that this was not true but the tradition continued.

Unfortunately there were not many badgers in Pennsylvania so the groundhog substituted the badger. Tradition has it that if the groundhog will sees its shadow on February 2 it will be frightened by it and will return to its burrow, indicating that there will be six more weeks of winter. If it does not see its shadow, then spring is on the way.

Punxsutawney held its first Groundhog Day in the United States in the 1800s. The first official trek to Gobbler's Knob was made on February 2, 1887. It is said that Punxsutawney Phil (the groundhog) was named after King Phillip. He was called Br'er Groundhog prior to being known as Phil. Canada also celebrates Groundhog Day.

Symbols

The groundhog, also known as the woodchuck or marmot, is believed to make weather predictions relating to winter and spring according to superstition. Movies, advertisements, cartoons and other media have portrayed the legendary role of the groundhog in popular culture. The term “Groundhog Day” is a phrase that is sometimes used to express if the same events or actions occur repetitively for a period of time.

Note: Please note that references to seasonal changes in this article relate to seasons in the northern hemisphere.

Groundhog Day Observances

Other holidays in February 2012 in United States

• National Freedom Day ―Wednesday, February 1, 2012
• World Cancer Day ―Saturday, February 4, 2012
• Prophet's Birthday ―Sunday, February 5, 2012
• e-Day ―Tuesday, February 7, 2012
• Tu B'Shevat (Arbor Day) ―Wednesday, February 8, 2012
• Lincoln's Birthday ―Sunday, February 12, 2012
• Lincoln's Birthday ―Monday, February 13, 2012
• Valentine's Day ―Tuesday, February 14, 2012
• World Day of Social Justice ―Monday, February 20, 2012
• Presidents' Day (Washington's Birthday) ―Monday, February 20, 2012
• Daisy Gatson Bates Day ―Monday, February 20, 2012
• Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras ―Tuesday, February 21, 2012
• International Mother Language Day ―Tuesday, February 21, 2012
• Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras ―Tuesday, February 21, 2012
• Ash Wednesday ―Wednesday, February 22, 2012
• Leap Day ―Wednesday, February 29, 2012