What is the lore of Groundhog Day?
What is the lore of Groundhog Day?
It derives from the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog emerging from its burrow on this day sees its shadow due to clear weather, it will retreat to its den and winter will persist for six more weeks; if it does not see its shadow because of cloudiness, spring will arrive early.
Where did Groundhog Day originate?
Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
The first official Groundhog Day celebration took place on February 2, 1887, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. It was the brainchild of local newspaper editor Clymer Freas, who sold a group of businessmen and groundhog hunters—known collectively as the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club—on the idea.
How did Punxsutawney Phil get started?
In Germany, the tradition evolved into a myth that if the sun came out on Candlemas, a hedgehog would cast its shadow, predicting snow all the way into May. When German immigrants settled in Pennsylvania, they transferred the tradition onto local fauna, replacing hedgehogs with groundhogs.
What’s the name of the groundhog?
Punxsutawney Phil
Why is his name Phil? So the story goes, Punxsutawney Phil was named after King Phillip. Prior to being called Phil, he was called Br’er Groundhog.
What are groundhogs nicknames?
woodchuck
The groundhog has several nicknames, including “woodchuck,” “land beaver” and “whistlepig.” Woodchuck likely originates from a Native American word, wejack or woodshaw, and may have roots in the Algonquian name for the animal, wuchak.
How old do groundhogs live?
Lifespan: In the wild, groundhogs can live up to six years with two or three being average.
Is Punxsutawney Phil a boy or girl?
The most famous groundhog in “the business” is Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania. He’s supposedly male, but he’s also supposedly been around since the 19th century.
Is Punxsutawney Phil immortal?
How old is Punxsutawney Phil? Basically immortal, so say the experts. In Punxsutawney, 1886 marked the first time that Groundhog Day appeared in the local newspaper. The following year brought the first official trek to Gobbler’s Knob.
How long does a groundhog live?
Lifespan: In the wild, groundhogs can live up to six years with two or three being average. In captivity, groundhogs reportedly live up to 14 years. Breeding: Groundhogs tend to be solitary except in the spring when a litter of four to six young are born. Litters of one to nine have been recorded.