the history of groundhog day
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Groundhog Day
Table Of Contents
Origin History Celebrations Quiz
Origin Of Groundhog Day
Began as a Pennsylvania German Began as a Pennsylvania German custom in the 18custom in the 18thth and 19 and 19thth centuries centuries
Its origins can be traced back to Its origins can be traced back to European weather lore European weather lore
Has connections to the religious Has connections to the religious holiday holiday Candlemas which is also which is also celebrated on February 2 celebrated on February 2 – The weather on Candlemas Day was The weather on Candlemas Day was
used to predict when spring would comeused to predict when spring would come
Origin of Groundhog Day cont. CandlemasCandlemas is marked by the lighting marked by the lighting
of candles to celebrate the end of the of candles to celebrate the end of the Christmas seasonChristmas season
The legend of Groundhog Day is The legend of Groundhog Day is based on an old Scottish verse:based on an old Scottish verse:– ““If Candlemas Day is bright and clear, If Candlemas Day is bright and clear,
there’ll be two winters in the year.”there’ll be two winters in the year.” So how did a So how did a groundhog become the symbol become the symbol
for a holiday that had once been celebrated for a holiday that had once been celebrated with candles…with candles…
Origin Of Groundhog Day
Romans had a similar holiday that used Romans had a similar holiday that used a hedgehog to make the weather call in a hedgehog to make the weather call in early Februaryearly February– Ancient beliefs held that spring could be Ancient beliefs held that spring could be
predicted by hibernating animals leaving predicted by hibernating animals leaving their burrows, dens, etc.their burrows, dens, etc.
European settlers in North America European settlers in North America continued the tradition but replaced the continued the tradition but replaced the hedgehog with the native hedgehog with the native groundhog
• GroundhogGroundhog•Member of the Member of the rodent familyrodent family• Often referred to Often referred to as a as a woodchuck• Only mammal to Only mammal to have a holiday have a holiday named in its named in its honorhonor
History Of Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day is a North American Groundhog Day is a North American tradition…it is celebrated across the tradition…it is celebrated across the United States and in Canada!United States and in Canada!
It is celebrated every year on the It is celebrated every year on the same date… same date… February 2.
History Of Groundhog Day
The first official The first official Groundhog Day Groundhog Day was celebrated on was celebrated on February 2, 1886 in in Punxsutawney, Punxsutawney, PennsylvaniaPennsylvania
What Happens on Groundhog Day?
The groundhog exits its burrow– If he sees his shadow, he will leave his If he sees his shadow, he will leave his
burrow signifying that winter will end burrow signifying that winter will end soonsoon
– If the groundhog does not see his If the groundhog does not see his shadow he will supposedly retreat back shadow he will supposedly retreat back to its burrow and winter will continue for to its burrow and winter will continue for six more weekssix more weeks
So…will he or won’t he?
http://www.gojp.com/groundhog/shadow.html
The Shadow ReportThe Shadow Report
Celebrations
The largest groundhog day The largest groundhog day celebration takes place in celebration takes place in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
Up to 40,000 people gather to celebrate the holiday at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney
Celebrations
Quiz Time!
http://www.theholidayspot.com/http://www.theholidayspot.com/groundhogday/quiz.htmgroundhogday/quiz.htm
SourcesSources The Origin & the Belief, The Origin & the Belief,
http://www.theholidayspot.com/groundhhttp://www.theholidayspot.com/groundhogday/theday.htmogday/theday.htm
Groundhog Day, Is It Spring Yet? Groundhog Day, Is It Spring Yet? http://wilstar.com/holidays/grndhog.htmhttp://wilstar.com/holidays/grndhog.htm
The Shadow Report, The Shadow Report, http://www.gojp.com/groundhog/shadowhttp://www.gojp.com/groundhog/shadow.html.html
Happy Groundhog Day quiz, Happy Groundhog Day quiz, http://www.theholidayspot.com/groundhhttp://www.theholidayspot.com/groundhogday/quiz.htmogday/quiz.htm
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