Groundhog Day is February 2nd.  

 

Groundhog Day is held on Feb. 2, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania every year, and you might be wondering how a groundhog landed the job of predicting the weather. If you’re unfamiliar with the tradition, it goes like this: If the groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, sees his shadow, we’re stuck with six more weeks of winter. If he doesn’t see his shadow, we luck out with an early spring.

The tradition dates back to 1887, and though the origins are unclear, it is said to have originated from ancient Europe.   It also has religious origins, as it shares similarities with Candelmas Day, which is also today.  There is  an old English saying, “If Candlemas be fair and bright,/ Come, Winter, have another flight.

Here are fun facts about Groundhog Day:

1. Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow the overwhelming majority of years

2. The National Climatic Data Center reportedly stated that Phil’s prediction’s have been correct 39 percent of the time. This number is in conflict with Phil’s followers, who claim he’s been correct every year.

3. Following the release of the movie Groundhog Day in 1993, starring Bill Murray, as many as  30,000 made the trip to visit the tiny hill in Punxsutawney where the ceremony takes place.

4. Groundhogs typically live only six to eight years