What is National Groundhog Day?
One question is asked each year on February 2nd, the National Groundhog Day. Will he see his shadow? Ok, well, maybe it asks another question. Will there be six more weeks of winter? In the United States and Canada, the day is commemorated each year.
Traditionally the groundhog awakens from his nap for a much-needed break during the winter to see if he can see his shadow. Many believe that if the groundhog sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If this is so, he retreats into his den and goes back to sleep. However, if he does not see his shadow, the groundhog remains outside to play, and people celebrate as spring approaches.
Tradition
The tradition of predicting the length of the remaining winter is intertwined with Candlemas, the Christian holiday. To give to their congregations, the clergy would bless candles symbolizing the "light of the world." Crepes are another popular holiday during this period. Germans learned how to forecast the winter with a hedgehog. They arrived in the United States and settled in the hills of Pennsylvania, and the groundhog became the official predictor.
The annual Groundhog Day festival in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, has been held. Thousands of people descended on Punxsutawney on Groundhog Day for this day of commemoration.
