Did you know that if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow there’s going to be 6 more weeks (44 days) of winter and if he does not see his shadow there is only going to be 42 days of winter left? So why do we dedicate a day to the Groundhog?
Punxsutawney Phil. A name famous for close to 100 years as the unofficial winter weather forecaster of Pennsylvania. In more recent years, he has achieved notoriety as the beloved, unofficial furry star of the movie, “Groundhog Day” with Bill Murray. Each year, close to 30,000 people descend upon the normally sleepy community of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to witness this groundhog emerge from his burrow and ask, did the groundhog see his shadow? Well, technically, Phil is removed from his burrow by gentlemen attired in tuxedos and top hats, but it is a fun event regardless of how he comes out.
Stemming from an ancient German superstition, Groundhog day is a celebrated tradition. If a groundhog sees it’s shadow on the ancient Christian holiday of Candlemas on February 2, it means six more weeks of winter, and if the hibernating rodent does not, then spring is on it’s way. In addition to the famous little weather prognosticator Punxsutawney Phil, is his Southern cousin and colleague, General Beauregard Lee of Lilburn, Georgia. In recent years, the question of did the groundhog see his shadow has been answered differently by the two famous groundhogs. In all fairness, though, Georgia does not usually see any actual winter weather, so that may account for the discrepancies between the colleagues.
This Groundhog’s Day, 2009, Punxsutawney Phil did see his shadow!
What does Groundhog’s Day mean to you?
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If this was written on January 30, how accurate is the statement “This Groundhog’s Day, 2009, Punxsutawney Phil did see his shadow!”?
aaaaa I wish that phil didn’t see his shadow , i love winter but not that much.
I THINK THAT GROUNDHOG DAY IS JUST A JOKE
SOMETHING FOR KIDS TO HEAR ABOUT SO WE GET 44 DAYS OF WINTER OR 42 DAY OF WINTER IT’S UP TO GOD NOT A DUMB UGLY STINKE GROUNDHOG IF ANYBODY DOSE’ LIKE WHAT I PUT THEN LEAVE AN E-MAIL FOR ME ANNSCOWBOY07@AOL.COM
I love Groundhogs Day….
Ejor says punxsutawny, him see him shadow ery yer. y do he nevr ignor it? me wnt anser now! hlp ejor out. y do he c it ery yer?
Punxsutawny Phil the groundhog sees his shadow EVERY single year! Do you know why that is?
@believer
it was written January 30th but did not have whether or not mr. Phil saw his shadow until today!
If it keeps seeing it’s shadow, does winter keep getting longer and longer? If we want the groundhog to see it’s shadow we should shine a spotlight on it! I’m glad the groundhog saw it’s shadow because we could go play out on the snow, and go sledding, and travel on the ice, and go skating, and build a snow fort or igloo.
It’s cool to learn about traditions and customs from other countries.