When was groundhog day invented

According to lore, clear weather on Candlemas day forebodes a prolonged winter. The Punxsutawney event began in , and receives significant media attention in the United States.

Reports appeared on Tuesday in all major American publications, as Punxsutawney Phil, the designated groundhog, emerged from its temporary home in the morning before sunrise, and made its prediction. So far, Phil has been accurate less than 40 per cent of the time, and has predicted a longer winter on more than occasions. On February 2 last year, Phil had predicted an early spring. Skip to content. British Columbia Ontario. Candlemas Day An old Christian celebration that marked the midway point between the winter solstice and the summer equinox, Candlemas was a European tradition dating back to long before the official observance date.

Groundhog Day Origins in North America As settlers began to travel to seek a new life in the New World, the area of Pennsylvania saw a large influx of German settlers during the late 19th century. Some of the special commemorations that have occurred during the Groundhog Day observance include: A statement by the groundhog during the Prohibition era observance, where he proclaimed he would order 60 more weeks of winter unless he were allowed to imbibe.

In a show of support for the United States bringing home the Iranian hostages, Phil emerged wearing a yellow ribbon on February 2, Members of the Inner Circle, along with Phil, traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana, to participate in the college basketball March Madness activities. In , a special documentary was created and aired on Groundhog Day where the origins and the story of the Groundhog Day celebration were discussed. The next year, everything fell into place. Since then, the tradition has grown in popularity with many other cities across the country hold their own Groundhog Day celebrations.

Write to Abigail Abrams at abigail. Groundhog handler John Griffiths holds Punxsutawney Phil after he saw his shadow predicting six more weeks of winter during th annual Groundhog Day festivities on Feb. When he arrived they found actors, actresses and studio executives rummaging Live TV. This Day In History. History Vault. Vietnam War.

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