Groundhog Day - February 2nd

Groundhog Day - February 2nd

The legend of Groundhog Day is based on an old saying: 'If Candlemas Day is bright and clear, there'll be two winters in the year.'

What happens in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania USA is that the behaviour of a Phil the Groundhog determines if spring is just around the corner, or if the weather will take a turn for the worse.  The action takes place at about 7:30 in the morning of 2nd February at Gobbler's Knob, just outside Punxsutawney PA.

Phil's prediction is based on whether or not he can see his shadow.  Local residents thinking is thus, shadow = sun = cold wintry conditions for another 6 weeks.  Cloudy, no shadow = milder conditions, thus spring is on the way.

Groundhog Day 2009 ( 123rd  Anniversary)

In 2009 Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow on Groundhog Day.  Thus we are in for at least another 6 weeks of winter.  A feature of this year's audience were at least 5,000 Pittsburgh Steelers fans fresh from celebrating their victory in Super Bowl 43.

Groundhog Day 2008

Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow shortly before 7:30 a.m. local time.  The crowd of 35,000 people cheered as William Cooper read a scroll containing the groundhog's prediction.

'As I look around me, a bright sky I see, and a shadow beside me. Six more weeks of winter it will be.

Groundhog History

The great, great, great, great grandfather of Punxsutawney Phil first made his prediction in 1887.  Today's Phil weights in at about 1 stone (14lbs).  Whereas his wild groundhog (woodchuck) cousins eat grass with the occasional treat of a dandelion or clover; Punxsutawney Phil is pampered with ice cream and dog food.

On the big day - February the 2nd, Phil is taken to special heated burrow underneath the artificial tree stump Gobbler's Knob.  After he performs his duty of checking his shadow, Phil is taken to his home in the Punxsutawney Library.

Groundhog Day - The Film (1993)

The 1993 Groundhog film developed the original idea of repeating the same day over and over again, but with different endings.  Bill Murray stars as the weatherman Phil Connors who relives reporting on February 2nd - Groundhog Day at Gobbler's Knob, Punxsutawney PA.  Andie MacDowell co-stars as Rita his production assistant, who helps transform Phil's character.

What makes the film an above average comedy is the way Bill's character transforms from a grouch, grumpy inadequate, into a rounded empathetic character who lives life to the full. 

Since the Groundhog Day film, the saying has taken off, it was though the phenomenon of events repeating themselves was crying out for a catch phrase - Groundhog Day.

Sayings for Candlemas and Groundhog Day

'For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day, so far will the snow swirl in May...'

If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Winter has another flight.
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Winter will not come again.

Archive: One of Punxsutawney Phil's earlier Forecasts :

On Gobbler's Knob I see no shadow today.
I predict that early spring is on the way

According to legend, if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If he does not see his shadow, there will be an early spring.

If the sun shines on Groundhog Day;
Halve the fuel and halve the hay.

The 2007 forecast broke seven year streak where Phil saw a shadow on Groundhog Day.

A Groundhog Day to Remember

Over breakfast one morning, a woman said to her husband, 'I bet you don't know what day this is.' 'Of course I do,' he answered indignantly, as he slammed the door, and drove to his office.

At 11 o'clock, the doorbell rang.  The wife answered, and there at her front door was a UPS driver, in his had was a box containing 12 red roses. 

Later, at 2 pm there was another knock at the door, this time it was a deluxe box of Belgian chocolates.

Eventually the husband came home, tired after a hard day's work.  His wife greeted him by saying: 'First the flowers, then the chocolates, I've never had a more wonderful Groundhog Day in my life!'

Footnote:
Please send us your Groundhog day stories and pictures.

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