The History of Groundhog's Day:
Groundhog's Day is celebrated in Canada and the United States on February 2nd each year. We watch our favourite groundhog on this day. If it is cloudy, he will come out of his burrow and, tradition says, spring will start soon. If it is sunny, he will see his shadow and scoot back into his burrow for six more weeks of winter sleep.
When German settlers arrived in the United States in the 1700s, they brought a tradition known as Candlemas Day. Candlemas Day came at the mid-point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Superstition told that if the weather was nice on that day, the second half of Winter would be stormy and cold.These settlers first celebrated "Groundhog's Day" in Pennsylvania -- "Punxsutawney Phil" from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania remains one of the favourite groundhogs to watch each year!
For the early Christians in Europe, it was the custom on Candlemas Day for clergy to bless candles and distribute them to the people in the dark of Winter. A lighted candle was placed in each window of the home.
The weather continued to be important to the early Christians. If the sun came out on February 2, the day halfway between Winter and Spring, it meant six more weeks of wintry weather.
In Europe, it was a hedgehog that was watched with hope that he'd not see his shadow. When settlers arrived in America, there were no hedgehogs to be found. So they adopted the groundhog as the new world's weather forecaster.
The groundhog was chosen because it wintered underground like the hedgehog and because the Native Americans in the region respected the animal greatly. They considered the groundhog to be a wise and sensible animal.
Here are some sayings you might like to read about Groundhog's Day and it's Candlemas predecessor:
From USA:
(tune of I'm a Little Teapot)
I see a little groundhog, furry and brown,
He's popping up to look around.
If he sees his shadow, down he'll go.
Six more weeks of winter - oh, no!
From England:
If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Winter has another flight.
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Winter will not come again.
From Scotland:
If Candlemas Day is bright and clear,
There'll be two winters in the year.
From Germany:
For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day,
So far will the snow swirl until May.
For as the snow blows on Candlemas Day,
So far will the sun shine before May.
And from the United States:
If the sun shines on Groundhog Day;
Half the fuel and half the hay.
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Happy Ground Hog Day !!
It's good to see thatRocky is getting a special day. He did not come out and see his shadow, soooo more bad weather.
Rockythanks all his human friends, and asks that you leave him some grapes. They are his favorite.
lol Red or green grapes??
lol Cute one LR!!
Great article! Thanks!!!
Really interesting article. I never knew about the origins of Groundhog Day.
Mr. de Blasio killed our groundhog, Chuck, last year, after he freaked out holding him and dropped him.
We have a new one now... but de Blasio will not be handling him this year.
And I guess we will be having a short winter.... it's a blizzard outside today.
I remember seeing that on TV,poor little Chuck. We got about 1 foot dumped on us yesterday.......sigh
It doesn't matter as long as there seedless.
lol....I think it would be cute to seehim spit the seeds out!!
From the "theory" on Groundhog day this would be an example of negative correlation ...
In Canada, he's called "Wireton Willie". Loved the movie "Groundhog Day" with Bill Murray.
lol I really liked that movie too. Bill Murray is a great actor....
Do you think "Groundhog Day" was his best role ?
It's a toss up between Ground Hog Day and Ghost Busters....
I am in complete agreement with your 2 choices . "I'm a scientist dammit !"
LOL...
In most of his movies he plays the same "cool" character, such as in Meatballs, and Lost in Translation. I have always enjoyed watching him.
Yeah, but what's it like in the summer?
A great actor for sure...
Maybe he didn't like the Mayor's cologne lol....or his breath...
I's 31 degrees here, but, at least the sun is shinning!
WOW!! There is no way I could handle that kind of heat!!
I don't remember hearing any bad stuff about him...if there was any, I completely forgot......