Origins of Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day is celebrated throughout the United States and Canada on February 2 of each year. It is a tradition that has its roots in the Candlemas Day superstition of an animal casting its shadow as a foretelling of weather conditions for the remainder of the winter season. These early beliefs were capitalized upon by officials in the town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, and Groundhog Day became a lasting institution.
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History
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In his diary, dated February 4, 1841, Pennsylvania storekeeper James Morrison wrote that "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." This entry represents the first American reference made to what would become Groundhog Day.
Native American Ties
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The word for woodchuck, or groundhog, comes from the Native American legend of Wojak. Wojak was considered by the Delaware Indians to be an ancestral grandfather, having begun life as an animal and becoming a man. It was the Delaware Indians who settled the area halfway between the Allegheny and Susquehanna Rivers, in the area of what would later become the town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
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Candlemas Day
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German immigrants who arrived in the area in the 1700s brought with them the tradition of Candlemas, a mid-winter celebration with pagan roots. According to superstition, if the weather was fair on Candlemas Day, the remaining half of winter would prove bitter and cold. The appearance of the sun on Candlemas meant that an animal would cast a shadow--for Germans, the animal of choice was a hedgehog or a badger, but Pennsylvanians watched the groundhog instead.
Punxsutawney Phil
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The first official Groundhog Day was celebrated on February 2, 1886, as announced in the The Punxsutawney Spirit newspaper. The representative groundhog was given the name of "Punxsutawney Phil Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators, and Weather Prophet Extraordinary.'' The town of Punxsutawney bestowed upon itself the title of "Weather Capital of the World." The following year, the first trip to Gobbler's Knob was made, where Punxsutawney Phil made his formal prognostication.
Groundhog Day Today
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A concerted effort has been made to popularize the Groundhog Day holiday, with much success. The movie "Groundhog Day," which was released in 1993, featured the town of Punxsutawney and its famous Phil. An extensive agenda of events takes place in the town to mark the occasion. Groundhog Day celebrations also take place elsewhere, in particular at Groundhog Lodges in Southeastern Pennsylvania, where the festival stays truer to its Pennsylvania German roots.
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References
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