Groundhog Day predictions about the coming of spring put the spotlight on Punxsutawney Phil every Feb. 2. But celebrating the midpoint between the shortest and darkest day of the year and the spring equinox has ancient roots in European agricultural life.
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Historians have found a reference in an 1841 diary to groundhog weather forecasts in early February among families of German descent in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, according to the late Don Yoder, a University of Pennsylvania professor whose 2003 book about Groundhog Day explored the Celtic connection.Pennsylvania Germans settled in the area, and in the late 1880s, they started celebrating the holiday by picnicking, hunting and eating groundhogs.
The 1993 Bill Murray movie “Groundhog Day” caused such a resurgence of interest that two years after it came out, event organizers voiced concern about rowdy crowds drinking all night, people climbing trees and others stripping to their underwear. In 1998, a groundhog club leader wearing a $4,000 groundhog suit reported being assaulted by a half-dozen young men.
Intended to preserve Pennsylvania German culture and traditions, clubs would sometimes fine those who were caught speaking anything but their Pennsylvania Dutch language at meetings. They were traditionally all-male groups and several of the clubs remain active.
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Beneath the surface, Groundhog Day's deep roots predate Punxsutawney PhilGroundhog Day predictions about the coming of spring put the spotlight on Punxsutawney Phil every Feb. 2.
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Beneath the surface, Groundhog Day's deep roots predate Punxsutawney PhilGroundhog Day predictions about the coming of spring put the spotlight on Punxsutawney Phil every Feb. 2.
Read more »
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