Groundhog Day was first observed on February 2, 1877, at Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania’s Gobbler’s Knob. The practice of predicting the weather with rodents is much older, and it was brought to the United States by German immigrants. If a groundhog sees its shadow as it leaves its burrow, it means that winter will last another six weeks.
The tradition dates back to the days of the ancient Romans, when people used hibernating animals like hedgehogs to predict when the weather would warm up. Punxsutawney, Pa., made history in 1887 when it began its own annual tradition of predicting the weather with groundhogs. Punxsutawney Phil, the prognosticating groundhog, was named after the town. Clymer Freas, a Punxsutawney newspaper editor and member of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, founded Groundhog Day.
Punxsutawney Phil was chosen as the nation’s official groundhog meteorologist by the group. The Inner Circle, who wear top hats and speak in Pennsylvania Dutch, now lead the celebration. Every year, they travel to Gobbler’s.
During an annual Groundhog Day celebration in a western Pennsylvania town, a furry critter predicted six more weeks of winter. People gathered at Gobbler’s Knob on Thursday as members of Punxsutawney Phil’s “inner circle” summoned him from his tree stump at dawn to see if he had seen his shadow. If he sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter, according to folklore. If he doesn’t, spring will arrive early.
During an annual Groundhog Day celebration in a western Pennsylvania town, a furry critter predicted six more weeks of winter. People gathered at Gobbler’s Knob on Thursday as members of Punxsutawney Phil’s “inner circle” summoned him from his tree stump at dawn to see if he had seen his shadow.
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