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