Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Happy Groundhog Day!


Groundhog day was my father's absolute favorite holiday!  He even held his retirement party on Groundhog Day back in 1989!  I'm not quite sure why he loved this holiday so much, but in honor of him, I'm wishing you all a very Happy Groundhog Day!!

Here is an excerpt for The Huffington Post on the history of Groundhog Day and some little known facts.

Groundhog Day is held on Feb. 2, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania every year, and you might be wondering how a groundhog landed the job of predicting the weather. If you're unfamiliar with the tradition, it goes like this: If the groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, sees his shadow, we're stuck with six more weeks of winter. If he doesn't see his shadow, we luck out with an early spring.
The tradition dates back to 1887, and though the origins are unclear, it is said to have originated from ancient European weather lore in which a badger or sacred bear predicts the weather, rather than a groundhog. It also has religious origins, as it shares similarities with Candlemas Day, which is also on Feb. 2. According to an old English song, "If Candlemas be fair and bright,/ Come, Winter, have another flight."
Punxsutawney Phil has definitely adapted to the times. He can now text you his Tuesday weather prediction. Just text "Groundhog" to 247365 on Groundhog Day.
States without groundhogs are taking matters into their own hands by choosing their own weather predictor. Texas, for example, chose its state mammal, an armadillo, to predict the weather for their first "Armadillo Day." Only time will tell whether the groundhog or the armadillo is the true prognosticator.
Here are five facts you probably didn't know about Groundhog Day:

1. Punxsutawney Phil has seen his shadow 97 times, has not seen it 15 times, and nine years are unaccounted for.

2.
The National Climatic Data Center reportedly stated that Phil's prediction's have been correct 39 percent of the time. This number is in conflict with Phil's club, which states he's been right 100 percent of the time. 

 
3. According to the funny website groundhog.org, there's a legend that during Prohibition, Phil threatened to impose 60 weeks of winter on the community if he wasn't allowed a drink.

4. In the years following the release of Groundhog Day, a 1993 film starring Bill Murray, crowds numbering as high as 30,000 have visited Gobbler's Knob, a tiny hill in Punxsutawney where the ceremony takes place.

5.
Though groundhogs typically live only six to eight years, Groundhog Day lore suggests that Phil drinks a magic elixir every summer, which gives him seven more years of life. 



Happy Groundhog Day Everyone!

10 comments:

  1. Let me be the first on here to wish you Happy Groundhog Day . . . can't believe I'm really up this late! -Lili

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  2. Kat, Just checked back on the post where you asked if I received an email from you. No I didn't...I have a feeling my spam filter must have removed it. I also had some spyware that I just got straightened out tonight...that's why I'm up so late. Phew! If you would resend to me I will check my spam folder before it gets deleted. So sorry Kat. - Lili

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  3. Cute post. I have always lived in a warm climate...so never really paid much attention to groundhog day..it was always nice in Southern California. My son will enjoy these little facts.

    Holly @ 504 Main

    Thanks for entering the giveaway...winner coming soon!

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  4. What a great post about Groundhog Day! I just watched as the news showed this year's prediction and as we all suspected Phil saw his shadow and we are in for six more weeks of Winter…I'm crying.

    I went to my blog to do a post about it and in my blogroll I saw your post. I could never do as informative a post as this, so I'm going to post the prediction and link your post in.

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  5. A Happy Groundhog Day to you too! So many interesting facts.

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  6. Hi Kat! My 2nd grader came home yesterday reciting facts about Ground Hog's day! Let's hope Spring is just around the corner!!!

    :) T

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  7. I was so excited when I woke up this morning and realized it was Groundhog Day. Sad, I know. I couldn't wait to see what the little guy had to say. I wasn't exactly thrilled with the results though. I think I'll watch Groundhog Day tonight anyway to celebrate.

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  8. And I didn't even know it was Groundhog Day. Thanks!!

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  9. Happy Groundhog Day. What a funny holiday to love. We have Wiarton Willie up here in Canada and he does pretty much the same thing.

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