The Truth About Ground Hog Day
Posted by Judy Taylor on
Groundhog Day is probably more synonymous with the Bill Murray movie of the same name than the actual celebration itself. But its origins date back to the 1800s in the US when it was brought over from Europe by German immigrants who later became known as Pennsylvanian Dutch.
Groundhog Day is a popular tradition in the US and more recently Canada. During this day, the groundhog Punxsutawny Phil emerges from his burrow to predict what the weather will be like for the rest of winter.
If it is sunny, and Phil sees his shadow, then the superstition goes that the US will have to endure six more weeks of winter.....UNLESS....you live in Arkansas, and then you are own your own. There may only be 6 weeks of winter weather left for some states, but in Arkansas it's usually 8 or more weeks. We just never know. Like Punxsutawny Phil said, "I'm just a rodent, not a meteorologist.