Groundhog Day comes from a Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that dictates if a groundhog comes out of his burrow on February 2 and sees his shadow, Winter will continue for six more weeks; if he comes out of his burrow and doesn’t see his shadow, Spring will come early.
There is literally no evidence to support this groundhog’s magical ability to affect the seasons, but you know, we’ll go with it.
The lore came from the German’s forecasting animal — the badger; badgers and groundhogs aren’t even part of the same species. Badgers are weasels and groundhogs are ground squirrels.
The holiday’s roots began in 1887 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania when the first ever rodent weatherman predicted the weather.
There is an entire movie dedicated to the holiday starring Bill Murray.
In the movie, Bill Murray plays a non-believing weatherman (Phil Conners) covering the weather in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania on Groundhog Day. He gets trapped in a time loop and has to relive Groundhog Day every day.
Needless to say, Phil Conners teeters on the cusp of insanity for a good portion of the movie.
The holiday is taken very seriously in Punxsutawney. There is a parade, and people gather by Punxatawney Phill’s den to witness the groundhog’s verdict on the weather.
While the holiday is entertaining, it’s pretty much pointless. Groundhogs can’t tell the weather and neither can badgers.
Or can they…?
Hi, my name is Valentina Fernandez! I’m a junior at LRHS. I love traveling, being with friends, and Halloween.