The shadows of winter: Groundhog Day in the U.S.

An introduction to Groundhog Day

A man dressed in a top hat and black suit stands in front of a large crowd. The crowd is waiting with baited breath as the man reaches down and pulls up a plump, slouching groundhog (sort of like a cross between a beaver and a squirrel). The man holds the groundhog up high, while another man begins to read “Today, February 2nd…”

Today is Groundhog Day in the U.S. and the crowd is waiting to see if there will be another six weeks of winter or if spring will come early. The ceremony for Groundhog Day is held every February 2^nd at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. According to tradition, a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil emerges from his hole. If Phil doesn’t see his shadow (i.e. the weather is sunny), then there will be another six weeks of winter. On the other hand, if Phil does see his shadow, that means there will be an early spring.

 Just how exactly did Groundhog Day come to be celebrated? The answer starts with the early German settlers in the Pennsylvania area.

The celebration of Candlemas with an American flavor

German settlers began to arrive in the area that is now western Pennsylvania in the early 1700’s. They brought with them the traditional celebration of Candlemas. This celebration had been held since the early days of Christianity, when clergy would bless candles and distribute them to their followers. The candles would be placed in windows and, if the weather on February 2^nd was sunny, there would be six more months of winter. If the weather was cloudy and he candle cast a shadow, signs pointed to an early spring. The reason for February 2^nd being the day of the celebration is that it lies right between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox.

At the time that the German settlers had arrived, it was then the custom on Candlemas in Germany to watch for badgers. If the badger’s shadow appeared, then there would be an early spring. Unfortunately, there were no badgers in this part of the United States, so the German settlers adopted the hedgehog as the symbol of Candlemas. When the hedgehog emerged from their dens, the appearance of their shadow would mean an early spring.

From Candlemas to Groundhog Day

It is not known exactly how Groundhog Day came to be celebrated in Punxsutawney, but the first reference to the celebration is found in the diary of Berks’ County Storekeeper James Morris:

"Last Tuesday, the 2nd, was Candlemas day, the day on which, according to the Germans, the Groundhog peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back for another six weeks nap, but if the day be cloudy he remains out, as the weather is to be moderate."

Groundhog Day fun facts

{{Brett M.}}
Founder of LingoMetro, Brett lives in Seattle with his wife and his cat, Tippee.