Post by Dark One on Feb 2, 2006 20:10:27 GMT 11
It is indeed groundhog day today (2 Feb).
Groundhog Day, is celebrated on February 2 each year when, according to rural American tradition, the groundhog leaves the burrow where it has been hibernating to discover whether cold winter weather will continue. If the groundhog cannot see its shadow, it remains above ground ending its hibernation, but if its shadow is visible (that is, if the sun is shining), six more weeks of cold weather will ensue, and the animal returns to its burrow.
The tradition is believed to have originated in Europe and was associated with the Christian festival of Candlemas, though in the northern European version the animal that checked on the onset of spring was either a hedgehog or a badger. The modern celebration of Groundhog Day is centred on Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where the prediction of the groundhog “Punxsutawney Phil” attracts tens of thousands of visitors.
Punxsutawney Phil Facts
Groundhog Knowledge
- Phil appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show in 1995
- Phil met Pennsylvania Governor thingy Thornburg in 1987
- Phil travelled to Washington DC in 1986 to meet with President Reagan
- In 1981 Phil wore a yellow ribbon in honour of the American hostages in Iran
- General consensus has it that Phil has never made an incorrect prediction
This is the official Site for 'Phil':
www.groundhog.org/
Groundhog Day, is celebrated on February 2 each year when, according to rural American tradition, the groundhog leaves the burrow where it has been hibernating to discover whether cold winter weather will continue. If the groundhog cannot see its shadow, it remains above ground ending its hibernation, but if its shadow is visible (that is, if the sun is shining), six more weeks of cold weather will ensue, and the animal returns to its burrow.
The tradition is believed to have originated in Europe and was associated with the Christian festival of Candlemas, though in the northern European version the animal that checked on the onset of spring was either a hedgehog or a badger. The modern celebration of Groundhog Day is centred on Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where the prediction of the groundhog “Punxsutawney Phil” attracts tens of thousands of visitors.
Punxsutawney Phil Facts
Groundhog Knowledge
- Phil appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show in 1995
- Phil met Pennsylvania Governor thingy Thornburg in 1987
- Phil travelled to Washington DC in 1986 to meet with President Reagan
- In 1981 Phil wore a yellow ribbon in honour of the American hostages in Iran
- General consensus has it that Phil has never made an incorrect prediction
This is the official Site for 'Phil':
www.groundhog.org/
