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Groundhog Day may seem like a newfangled ceremony — what with Punxsutawney Phil living in a climate-controlled environment in the town library (where he is fed dog food and ice cream) and being transported once a year to Gobbler's Knob where tuxedo-clad gentlemen await his exit from a heated burrow at 7:25 a.m. on February 2 and bend down respectfully to receive his meteorological prognostications and convey them to a breathless media and an attentive world...

But, in truth, the roots of Groundhog Day go way back. Consider this entry from the diary of a shopkeeper named James Morris, of Morgantown, Pennsylvania:

February 4, 1841 — "...Last Tuesday, the 2nd, was Candlemas day, the day on which, according to the Germans, the Groundhog peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back for another six weeks nap, but if the day be cloudy he remains out, as the weather is to be moderate." (From the Pennsylvania Dutch Folklore Center at Franklin and Marshall College.)

Go back further, and you'll come across Imbolc, midway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox (one of the year's cross-quarter days). It is celebrated nowadays on February 1 or 2, and it is a festival of light reflecting the lengthening days and the coming of spring. In fact, in the Irish calendar, Imbolc is the first day of spring. This correlates nicely with the belief that the lack of a shadow on that day indicates the end of winter (cloudy, overcast skies often come together with milder temperatures).

The groundhog, a brownish, short-legged, heavyset cousin of the squirrel, is a hibernating animal that lives in burrows. Its other name is woodchuck, which inspired the famous tongue twister: How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

The traditional answer is: A woodchuck would chuck all the wood he could chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood. But a more practical piece of information came from wildlife expert Richard Thomas, quoted in The Wall Street Journal. He calculated that the average groundhog moves approximately one square meter (35 cubic feet), or 320 kilograms (700 pounds), of dirt when digging a burrow.

On February 2, groundhogs by any name will take a break from their burrowing and their hibernating, and check the ground to see whether winter is on its last gasp or still going strong. And thanks in part to the Bill Murray movie Groundhog Day, many of us will be waiting to find out.

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American Heritage Dictionary:

Ground·hog Day

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(ground'hôg', -hŏg') pronunciation
n.
February 2, on which according to popular legend the groundhog emerges from its burrow, prompting the prediction of an early spring if it does not see its shadow or six more weeks of winter if it does.


Britannica Concise Encyclopedia:

Groundhog Day

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(February 2) In the U.S., the day that the groundhog predicts whether spring will be coming soon. If, on emerging from his hole, he sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter; if not, spring is imminent. The tradition stems from English beliefs about seeing shadows on Candlemas (also February 2).

For more information on Groundhog Day, visit Britannica.com.

Holidays, Festivals & Celebrations of the World:

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February 2

There was a medieval superstition that all hibernating animals—not just groundhogs—came out of their caves and dens on Candlemas to check on the weather. If they could see their shadows, it meant that winter would go on for another six weeks and they could go back to sleep. A cloudy day meant that spring was just around the corner. It was the early German settlers known as the Pennsylvania Dutch who attached this superstition to the groundhog. In Germany it was the badger, and in England, France, and Canada it was the bear who was believed to make similar predictions about the weather.

The most famous forecaster in the United States is Punxsutawney Phil, a legendary groundhog in north-central Pennsylvania believed to be nearly a century old. Members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, along with thousands of other people, trek up to Phil's burrow on Gobbler's Knob on February 2 and get the news directly from him. (They also capture the event on film, which is available for viewing from a link on their web site.) Unfortunately, weather researchers have determined that over the years the groundhog has been correct only 28 percent of the time.

Numerous events take place in Punxsutawney over the days surrounding February 2, including group hikes, parties, live entertainment, fireworks, a winter carnival, and the showing of Groundhog Day, the 1993 movie starring Bill Murray.



CONTACTS
Punxsutawney Groundhog Club
c/o Punxsutawney Chamber of Commerce
124 W. Mahoning St.
Punxsutawney, PA 15767
814-938-7700; fax: 814-938-4303
www.groundhog.org
Dictionary of Cultural Literacy: Mythology:

Groundhog Day

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February 2. According to the legend of Groundhog Day, if a groundhog (a woodchuck) comes out of his hole on that day and sees his shadow, six more weeks of winter will follow. If no shadow appears, there will be an early spring.

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categories related to 'Groundhog Day'

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For a list of words related to Groundhog Day, see:
  • Forecasting and Meteorology - Groundhog Day: February 2, day on which legend has it that sunny skies mean six more weeks of winter, cloudy skies, an early spring
  • Annual National and Religious Holidays - Groundhog Day: U.S.: February 2, traditional day for predicting spring's arrival by observing a groundhog's shadow, indicating six more weeks of winter, or lack of shadow, indicating spring is imminent

Wikipedia on Answers.com:

Groundhog Day

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For the film, see Groundhog Day (film). For other uses, see Groundhog Day (disambiguation).
Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day 2005 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, USA
Type Cultural
Significance Predicts the arrival of spring.
Date February 2
Celebrations Announcing whether a groundhog sees its shadow after it emerges from its burrow

Groundhog Day (Deutsch: Murmeltiertag) is a day celebrated on February 2. According to folklore, if it is cloudy when a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day, then spring will come early. If it is sunny, the groundhog will supposedly see its shadow and retreat back into its burrow, and the winter weather will continue for six more weeks.[1]

Modern customs of the holiday involve celebrations where early morning festivals are held to watch the groundhog emerging from its burrow. In southeastern Pennsylvania, Groundhog Lodges (Grundsow Lodges) celebrate the holiday with fersommlinge,[2] social events in which food is served, speeches are made, and one or more g'spiel (plays or skits) are performed for entertainment. The Pennsylvania German dialect is the only language spoken at the event, and those who speak English pay a penalty, usually in the form of a nickel, dime or quarter, per word spoken, put into a bowl in the center of the table.[3]

The largest Groundhog Day celebration is held in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Groundhog Day, already a widely recognized and popular tradition,[4] received widespread attention as a result of the 1993 film Groundhog Day, which was set in Punxsutawney and portrayed Punxsutawney Phil.[5]

Contents

History

The celebration, which began as a Pennsylvania German custom in southeastern and central Pennsylvania in the 18th and 19th centuries, has its origins in ancient European weather lore, wherein a badger or sacred bear is the prognosticator as opposed to a groundhog.[6] It also bears similarities to the Pagan festival of Imbolc, the seasonal turning point of the Celtic calendar, which is celebrated on February 1 and also involves weather prognostication[7] and to St. Swithun's Day in July.

Historical origins

The groundhog (Marmota monax) is a rodent of the family Sciuridae, belonging to the group of large ground squirrels.
Statue of groundhog Wiarton Willie in Wiarton, Ontario

An early American reference to Groundhog Day can be found in a diary entry,[8] dated February 4, 1841, of Berks County, Pennsylvania, storekeeper James Morris:

Last Tuesday, the 2nd, was Candlemas day, the day on which, according to the Germans,[9] the Groundhog peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back for another six weeks nap, but if the day be cloudy he remains out, as the weather is to be moderate.

In Scotland, the poem:

If Candlemas Day is bright and clear,
There'll be two winters in the year.

An English poem:

If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Winter has another flight.
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Winter will not come again.

Alternative origin theories

In western countries in the Northern Hemisphere the official first day of spring is almost seven weeks (46–48 days) after Groundhog Day, on March 20 or March 21. The custom could have been a folk embodiment of the confusion created by the collision of two calendrical systems. Some ancient traditions marked the change of season at cross-quarter days such as Imbolc when daylight first makes significant progress against the night. Other traditions held that spring did not begin until the length of daylight overtook night at the Vernal Equinox. So an arbiter, the groundhog/hedgehog, was incorporated as a yearly custom to settle the two traditions. Sometimes spring begins at Imbolc, and sometimes winter lasts 6 more weeks until the equinox.[10]

Locations

The largest Groundhog Day celebration is held in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where crowds as large as 40,000[11] have gathered to celebrate the holiday since at least 1886.[12] Other celebrations of note in Pennsylvania take place in Quarryville in Lancaster County,[13] the Anthracite Region of Schuylkill County,[14] the Sinnamahoning Valley[15] and Bucks County.[16]

Outside of Pennsylvania, notable celebrations occur in the Frederick and Hagerstown areas of Maryland, Marion, Ohio with Buckeye Chuck, [17] the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia,[18] Woodstock, Illinois,[19] Lilburn, Georgia,[20] among the Amish populations of over twenty states and at Wiarton, Ontario, and Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia, in Canada.[18] The University of Dallas in Irving, Texas, has taken Groundhog Day as its official university holiday and organizes a large-scale celebration every year in honor of the Groundhog.[21]

Predictions of various groundhogs since 2008

Date Prediction Groundhog Location
2012 Early spring[22] Smithitt Howell, Michigan
2012 6 more weeks of winter[23] Western Maryland Murray Cumberland, Maryland
2012 6 more weeks of winter[24] Grady the Groundhog Chimney Rock, North Carolina
2012 Early spring[24] Nibbles Asheville, North Carolina
2012 6 more weeks of winter[25] Queen Charlotte Charlotte, North Carolina
2012 6 more weeks of winter[26] Sir Walter Wally Raleigh, North Carolina
2012 Early spring[26] Mortimer Garner, North Carolina
2012 Early spring[27] Chattanooga Chuck Chattanooga, Tennessee
2012 6 more weeks of winter[28] Uni Myerstown, Pennsylvania
2012 6 more weeks of winter[29] Mount Joy Minnie Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
2012 Early spring[29] Patty Pagoda Reading, Pennsylvania
2012 Early Spring[30] French Creek Freddie French Creek, West Virginia
2012 Early Spring[31] Woodstock Willie Woodstock, Illinois
2012 6 more weeks of winter[32] Balzac Billy Balzac, Alberta
2012 Early Spring[33] Lawrenceville Lucy Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania
2012 Early Spring[34] Stormy Marmot Aurora, Colorado
2012 Early Spring Smith Lake Jake Graysville, Alabama
2012 Early Spring[35] Sir Thomas Hastings Hastings, Nebraska
2012 Early spring[36] Sutton Sammy Sutton, Ontario
2012 Early spring[37] Gus Athens, Georgia
2012 Early spring[38] Octoraro Orphie Quarryville, Pennsylvania
2012 Early spring[39] Dunkirk Dave Dunkirk, New York
2012 Early spring[40] Chuckles Manchester, Connecticut
2012 Early spring[41] Wynter the Groundhog Milwaukee, Wisconsin
2012 Early spring[33] Dover Doug Dover, Pennsylvania
2012 Early spring[33] Susquehanna Sherman Mount Wolf, Pennsylvania
2012 Early spring[33] Poor Richard York, Pennsylvania
2012 Early spring[42] Jimmy the Groundhog Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
2012 Early spring[43] Wiarton Willie Wiarton, Ontario
2012 6 more weeks of winter[44] Fred Val d'Espoir, Quebec
2012 Early spring[45] General Beauregard Lee Lilburn, Georgia
2012 6 more weeks of winter[46] Malverne Mel Malverne, New York
2012 Early spring[47] Holtsville Hal Holtsville, New York
2012 Early spring[48] Buckeye Chuck Marion, Ohio
2012 Early spring[49] Staten Island Chuck Staten Island (New York City)
2012 Early spring[50] Shubenacadie Sam Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia
2012 6 more weeks of winter Punxsutawney Phil Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
2011 6 more weeks of winter[22] Smithitt Howell, Michigan
2011 Early spring[51] Sutton Sammy Sutton, Ontario
2011 Early spring[52] French Creek Freddie French Creek, West Virginia
2011 Early spring[53] Tumbleweed Brookfield, Illinois
2011 6 more weeks of winter Smith Lake Jake Graysville, Alabama
2011 Early spring[54] Gus Athens, Georgia
2011 6 more weeks of winter[55] Octoraro Orphie Quarryville, Pennsylvania
2011 6 more weeks of winter[56] Balzac Billy Balzac, Alberta
2011 6 more weeks of winter[57] Sir Walter Wally Raleigh, North Carolina
2011 Early spring[58] Grady the Groundhog Chimney Rock, North Carolina
2011 Early spring[59] Chuckles Manchester, Connecticut
2011 Early spring[60] Susquehanna Sherman Mount Wolf, Pennsylvania
2011 6 more weeks of winter[60] Poor Richard York, Pennsylvania
2011 6 more weeks of winter[60] Dover Doug Dover, Pennsylvania
2011 Early spring[61] Malverne Mel Malverne, New York
2011 6 more weeks of winter[62] Holtsville Hal Holtsville, New York
2011 6 more weeks of winter[63] Uni Myerstown, Pennsylvania
2011 Early spring[64] Wiarton Willie Wiarton, Ontario
2011 Early spring[64] Shubenacadie Sam Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia
2011 Early spring[65] Jimmy the Groundhog Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
2011 6 more weeks of winter[66] Stormy Marmot Aurora, Colorado
2011 6 more weeks of winter[67] Western Maryland Murray Cumberland, Maryland
2011 Early spring[68] Staten Island Chuck Staten Island (New York City)
2011 Early spring[69] Buckeye Chuck Marion, Ohio
2011 Early spring[70] Dunkirk Dave Dunkirk, New York
2011 Early spring[71] General Beauregard Lee Lilburn, Georgia
2011 Early spring[72] Punxsutawney Phil Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
2010 Early spring[73] Gus Athens, Georgia
2010 Early spring[73] Queen Charlotte Charlotte, North Carolina
2010 Early spring[74] Octoraro Orphie Quarryville, Pennsylvania
2010 Early spring[75] Sir Walter Wally Raleigh, North Carolina
2010 Early spring[76] Jimmy the Groundhog Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
2010 Early spring[77] General Beauregard Lee Lilburn, Georgia
2010 6 more weeks of winter[78] Smith Lake Jake Graysville, Alabama
2010 Early spring[79] Staten Island Chuck Staten Island
2010 Early spring[80] Woodstock Willie Woodstock, Illinois
2010 6 more weeks of winter[81] Wiarton Willie Wiarton, Ontario
2010 6 more weeks of winter Punxsutawney Phil Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
2010 Early spring[82] Uni Myerstown, Pennsylvania
2010 6 more weeks of winter Poor Richard York, Pennsylvania
2010 Early spring[83] Dunkirk Dave Dunkirk, New York
2010 Early spring[84] Buckeye Chuck Marion, Ohio
2010 Early spring[85] Balzac Billy Balzac, Alberta
2010 6 more weeks of winter Shubenacadie Sam Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia
2010 Early spring[86] French Creek Freddie French Creek, West Virginia
2010 6 more weeks of winter[87] Chuckles Manchester, Connecticut
2010 6 more weeks of winter[88] Stormy Marmot Aurora, Colorado
2009 6 more weeks of winter[73] Gus Athens, Georgia
2009 Early spring[89] Queen Charlotte Charlotte, North Carolina
2009 6 more weeks of winter Spanish Joe Spanish, Ontario
2009 Early spring General Beauregard Lee Lilburn, Georgia
2009 6 more weeks of winter Punxsutawney Phil Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
2009 Early spring[90] French Creek Freddie French Creek, West Virginia
2009 6 more weeks of winter[91] Buckeye Chuck Marion, Ohio
2009 6 more weeks of winter Smith Lake Jake Graysville, Alabama
2009 Early spring[92] Malverne Mel Malverne, New York
2009 6 more weeks of winter[93] Woodstock Willie Woodstock, Illinois
2009 6 more weeks of winter[94] Jimmy the Groundhog Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
2009 6 more weeks of winter[95] Octoraro Orphie Quarryville, Pennsylvania
2009 Early spring[96] Staten Island Chuck Staten Island (New York City)
2009 6 more weeks of winter[97] Wiarton Willie Wiarton, Ontario
2009 6 more weeks of winter[97] Shubenacadie Sam
2009 6 more weeks of winter[98] Punxsutawney Phil Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
2009 Early spring[99] Dunkirk Dave Dunkirk, New York
2008 6 more weeks of winter[100] Stormy Marmot Aurora, Colorado
2008 6 more weeks of winter[101] Smith Lake Jake
2008 Early spring[102] Jimmy the Groundhog
2008 Early spring[103] Dunkirk Dave
2008 Early spring[104] Pat Lane
2008 Early spring[105] Balzac Billy
2008 6 more weeks of winter[106] Sir Walter Wally
2008 Early spring[105] Wiarton Willie Wiarton, Ontario
2008 Early spring[107] General Beauregard Lee
2008 6 more weeks of winter[107] Queen Charlotte
2008 6 more weeks of winter[108] Punxsutawney Phil Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
2008 Early spring[109] Malverne Mel
2008 Early spring[109] Staten Island Chuck
2008 Early spring[110] Buckeye Chuck

Meteorological Accuracy

According to Groundhog Day organizers, the rodents' forecasts are accurate 75% to 90% of the time.[111] However, a Canadian study for 13 cities in the past 30 to 40 years found that the weather patterns predicted on Groundhog Day were only 37% accurate over that time period--a value not significant compared to the 33% that could occur by chance.[111] According to the StormFax Weather Almanac and records kept since 1887, Punxsutawney Phil's weather predictions have been correct 39% of the time.[112] The National Climatic Data Center reportedly has stated that the overall accuracy rate is around 61%[citation needed].

Groundhog Day in popular culture

  • At the end of Disney's 1930 Silly Symphonies short film Winter, Mr. Groundhog the Weather Prophet comes out of his hole to determine whether or not there will be more winter. At first, he does not see his shadow, but the clouds clear and his shadow appears, causing him to run back inside. At this point, the winds picks up again and winter continues.
  • The 1941 Woody Woodpecker short Pantry Panic portrays the groundhog as a weather forecaster, although in this case he forecasts the timing of the beginning of winter, not the end of it.
  • In the 1979 Rankin-Bass Christmas TV special Jack Frost, a crucial plot point in the story involves Jack casting his own shadow on Groundhog Day for six more weeks of winter. At the end of the story it is revealed that the narrator (voiced by Buddy Hackett) is the groundhog.
  • The 1993 comedy movie Groundhog Day takes place in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania on this day (although the majority of the movie was actually filmed in Woodstock, Illinois). The main character (played by Bill Murray) is forced to relive the day over and over again until he can learn to give up his selfishness and become a better person.[114] In popular culture, the phrase "Groundhog Day" has come to represent going through a phenomenon over and over until one spiritually transcends it.[115]
  • In Disney's 2006 film Bambi II, Bambi accompanies his friends Thumper and Flower to go and see the Groundhog, whose shadow will foretell if winter will end soon.

Similar customs

A similar custom is celebrated among Orthodox Christians in Serbia on February 15 (February 2 according to local Julian calendar) during the feast of celebration of Sretenje or The Meeting of the Lord. It is believed that on this day the bear will awake from winter dormancy, and if in this sleepy and confused state it sees (meets) its own shadow, it will get scared and go back to sleep for an additional 40 days, thus prolonging the winter. Thus, if it is sunny on Sretenje, it is the sign that the winter is not over yet. If it is cloudy, it is a good sign that the winter is about to end.

In Germany, June 27 is "Siebenschläfertag" (Seven Sleepers Day). If it rains that day, the rest of summer is supposedly going to be rainy. While it might seem to refer to the "Siebenschläfer" squirrel (Glis Glis), also known as the "edible dormouse," it actually commemorates the Seven Sleepers (the actual commemoration day is July 25).

In the United Kingdom, July 15 is known as St. Swithun's day. It was traditionally believed if it rained on that day, it would rain for the next 40 days and nights.

In Alaska, February 2 is observed as Marmot Day rather than Groundhog Day because few groundhogs exist in the state.[116]

Notes

  1. ^ Cohen, p. 57.
  2. ^ Yoder, p. xii.
  3. ^ Rosenberger, Homer Tope (1966). The Pennsylvania Germans: 1891–1965. Lancaster, PA: Pennsylvania German Society. pp. 194–199. OCLC 1745108. 
  4. ^ "Pennsylvania Town Awaits Groundhog Day". New York Times. 1986-02-02. http://www.nytimes.com/1986/02/02/us/around-the-nation-pennsylvania-town-awaits-groundhog-day.html. Retrieved 2011-01-27. 
  5. ^ Yoder, pp. 14–15.
  6. ^ Yoder, p. i.
  7. ^ Yoder, p. 43.
  8. ^ History Society of Berks County, Reading, Pennsylvania.
  9. ^ The attribution to the "Germans" may be based on contemporary hearsay or an isolated reference: there is no commonly known tradition in modern Germany relating Candlemas to the weather. Lichtmesse ( Candlemas) was the historical end of the Christmas season. It also coincided with previous festivals marking the roughly the midway point of the winter onset and the Spring equinox.
  10. ^ Groundhog Day, Margaret Kruesi. Journal of American Folklore. Washington: Summer 2007. Vol. 120, Iss. 477; p. 367+
  11. ^ David Park, PhD (2006). "Happy Groundhog Day to You!". http://www.americandaily.org/document/070202%20Groundhog%20Day.htm. Retrieved 2009-02-02. 
  12. ^ Yoder, p. 9.
  13. ^ Yoder, pp. 19–28.
  14. ^ Yoder, pp. 29–30.
  15. ^ Yoder, pp. 30–31.
  16. ^ Yoder, p. 31.
  17. ^ Yoder, pp. 32–33.
  18. ^ a b Yoder, pp. 33.
  19. ^ "Groundhog Days Woodstock IL". Awaketowoodstock.com. http://www.awaketowoodstock.com/Groundhog%20Days.htm. Retrieved 2010-12-11. 
  20. ^ Shoestring Solutions. "All About General Beau Lee of the Yellow River Game Ranch". Yellowrivergameranch.com. http://www.yellowrivergameranch.com/bio.htm. Retrieved 2010-12-11. 
  21. ^ "University of Dallas – Student Activities". Udallas.edu. http://www.udallas.edu/universitylife/studentlife/activity?init=1&return=http://www.udallas.edu/searchresults. Retrieved 2010-12-11. 
  22. ^ a b The Diesel predicts Michigan will early spring. Detroit Free Press. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
  23. ^ African, American concur with six more weeks of winter prediction. WCBC. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
  24. ^ a b Spring is here to stay, says Asheville's groundhog, Nibbles. Asheville Citizen-Times. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
  25. ^ Needham, Nick. Queen Charlotte sees shadow, 6 more weeks of winter. WBTV. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
  26. ^ a b Sir Walter Wally, Mortimer disagree about spring again. Raleigh News Observer. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
  27. ^ Chattanooga Chuck predicts warm, wet weather. Nooga.com. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
  28. ^ Uni's close call: 6 more weeks of winter. Lebanon Daily News. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
  29. ^ a b Groundhogs Predict Fate Of Winter; Punxsutawney Phil Joined By Others In Valley. WGAL. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
  30. ^ Groundhog Day 2012. WTRF. Retrieved 2012-02-02.
  31. ^ Groundhog Day 2012. Huffington Post. Retrieved 2012-02-02.
  32. ^ Groundhog Day 2012. National Post. Retrieved 2012-02-02.
  33. ^ a b c d Argento, Mike. Is winter over? The local groundhogs say yes, Phil says six more weeks. York Daily News. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
  34. ^ "Marmot Adventures Groundhog Day 2012". Marmotadventures.com. 2012-02-02. http://www.marmotadventures.com/php/story.php?2012-02-02,1. Retrieved 2012-02-02. 
  35. ^ "Spring's Right Around the Corner". Hastingstribune.com. 2012-02-02. http://hastingstribune.com/february/news0202groundhog.php. Retrieved 2012-02-02. 
  36. ^ [1]. Sutton Home Hardware. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
  37. ^ Georgia's groundhog predicts early spring. Athens Banner-Herald. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
  38. ^ Octoraro Orphie predicts an early spring. LancasterOnline.com. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
  39. ^ Dunkirk Dave predicts early spring. WKBW-TV. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
  40. ^ http://naugatuck.patch.com/articles/poll-punxsutawney-phil-vs-chuck
  41. ^ http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/83342432.html
  42. ^ http://www.kboi2.com/news/local/Groundhogs-Forecast-More-Winter-138557204.html
  43. ^ [2]. CFTR. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
  44. ^ Groundhog Day: Quebec groundhog disagrees with Shubenacadie Sam, Wiarton Willie. The Gazette (montrealgazette.com). Retrieved February 2, 2012.
  45. ^ [3]. General Beauregard Lee's official Twitter]. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
  46. ^ Malverne Mel predicts six more weeks of winter. Malverne-West Hempstead (Patch.com). Retrieved February 2, 2012.
  47. ^ Holtsville Hal, Malverne Mel disagree on winter. Newsday. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
  48. ^ [4]. Mansfield News Journal. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
  49. ^ Groundhog Day 2012: Staten Island Chuck predicts early spring. Staten Island Advance. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
  50. ^ [5]. Global Maritimes. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
  51. ^ Haynes, Jeff (2011-02-02). Sutton Sammy Predicts Early Spring for 2011. Sutton Home Hardware. Retrieved 2011-02-05.
  52. ^ Schrock, Jeff (2011-02-02). French Creek Freddie Predicts Early Spring for 2011. The State Journal. Retrieved 2011-02-05.
  53. ^ Snow even too much for Willie the groundhog. Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2011-02-02.
  54. ^ Athens’ groundhog emerges to predict spring. The Red and Black. Retrieved 2011-02-02.
  55. ^ Octorara Orphie sees 6 more weeks of winter. Lancaster Online. Retrieved 2011-02-02.
  56. ^ Winter's not over yet. CFCN-TV. Retrieved 2011-02-02.
  57. ^ Sir Walter Wally predicts more winter. WTVD. Retrieved 2011-02-02.
  58. ^ Chimney Rock groundhog doesn't see his shadow. Asheville Citizen-Times. Retrieved 2011-02-02.
  59. ^ Soper, Kym (2011-02-02). No shadow! Chuckles predicts early spring at Lutz. Journal-Inquirer. Retrieved 2011-02-02.
  60. ^ a b c Dover Doug Delivers Groundhog Report. York Daily Record. Retrieved 2011-02-02.
  61. ^ Malverne Mel Bids Grizzly Winter Early Goodbye. Malverne-WestHempstead Patch. Retrieved 2011-02-02.
  62. ^ Holtsville Hal predicts long winter on Groundhog Day. Long Island Press. Retrieved 2011-02-02.
  63. ^ Groundhog makes prediction. Lebanon Daily News (2011-02-02). Retrieved 2011-02-02.
  64. ^ a b Wiarton Willie predicts early spring. Toronto Star. Retrieved 2011-02-02.
  65. ^ http://www.wuwm.com/programs/news/view_news.php?articleid=7684
  66. ^ "Marmot Adventures Groundhog Day 2011". Marmotadventures.com. 2011-02-02. http://www.marmotadventures.com/php/story.php?2011-02-02,1. Retrieved 2011-02-02. 
  67. ^ http://www.wcbcradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19924&Itemid=35
  68. ^ Groundhog Day 2011: It's an early spring! Staten Island Chuck did not see his shadow. Staten Island Advance (2011-02-02).
  69. ^ http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/weather/weather_news/no-shadow-for-phil-means-early-spring
  70. ^ Carey, Elizabeth (2011-02-02). "Groundhogs call for spring as storm flops". http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/blog/stay_tuned/2011/02/big-storm-is-a-flop-groundhogs-agree.html. 
  71. ^ "General Beau Lee Doesn't See Shadow; Predicts Early Spring!". Yellow River Game Ranch. 2011-02-02. http://www.yellowrivergameranch.com/11groundhogday.htm. Retrieved 2011-02-02. 
  72. ^ "Punxsutawney Phil Calls For An Early Spring". KDKA.com. 2011-02-02. http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2011/02/02/punxsutawney-phil-calls-for-an-early-spring/. Retrieved 2011-02-02. 
  73. ^ a b c Vanhoose, Joe (2010-02-03). Furry forecaster sees early spring
  74. ^ Spring almost here, Orphie says. Lancaster Newspapers. Retrieved 2010-02-02.
  75. ^ Sir Walter Wally, Punxsutawney Phil disagree on winter's end. Raleigh News Observer (2010-02-02).
  76. ^ "Groundhog Central". Groundhog Central. http://www.groundhogcentral.com/. Retrieved 2010-12-11. 
  77. ^ "Groundhog Day 2008 at the Yellow River Game Ranch!". Yellowrivergameranch.com. 2010-02-02. http://www.yellowrivergameranch.com/10groundhogday.htm. Retrieved 2010-12-11. 
  78. ^ "Smith Lake Jake Visits Wake-Up!" Wake up, Alabama!, CBS42, February 2, 2010
  79. ^ Staten Island Chuck makes his Groundhog Day prediction. Staten Island Advance (2010-02-02).
  80. ^ "Northwest Herald | Woodstock Willie: An early spring is coming". Nwherald.com. http://www.nwherald.com/articles/2010/02/02/13726830/index.xml. Retrieved 2010-12-11. 
  81. ^ The Canadian Press: Mix of cheers and groans as Wiarton Willie predicts six more weeks of winter[dead link]
  82. ^ Snyder, Steve (2010-02-02). Uni's forecast: Early spring. Lebanon Daily News. Retrieved 2010-02-05.
  83. ^ Official Dunkirk Dave site Though he did see his shadow, it was invalidated because of artificial lighting.
  84. ^ "Weather-Predicting Groundhogs Don’t Agree". WCMH-TV. 2010-02-02. http://www2.nbc4i.com/cmh/news/local/article/buckeye_chuck_to_make_predicition_today/31091/. 
  85. ^ "Alberta's Balzac Billy disagrees with Ontario's Wiarton Willie" Canada.com, February 2, 2002
  86. ^ [6] Charleston Daily Mail[dead link]
  87. ^ "Broadcast Yourself". YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9fkW07hoV4. Retrieved 2010-12-11. 
  88. ^ "Marmot Adventures Groundhog Day 2010". Marmotadventures.com. 2010-02-02. http://www.marmotadventures.com/php/story.php?2010-02-02,1. Retrieved 2010-12-11. 
  89. ^ "N.C. Groundhog, Hog Differ On Winter Weather Outlook – News Story – WSOC Charlotte". Wsoctv.com. 2009-02-02. http://www.wsoctv.com/news/18623033/detail.html#-. Retrieved 2010-12-11. 
  90. ^ "West Virginia Headline News and Talk Radio". Wvmetronews.com. http://www.wvmetronews.com/index.cfm?func=displayfullstory&storyid=28619. Retrieved 2010-12-11. 
  91. ^ "Buckeye Chuck Makes Prediction: 6 More Weeks". NBC4i.com. http://www.nbc4i.com/cmh/news/local/article/buckeye_chuck_set_to_poke_his_head_out/12392/. Retrieved 2010-12-11. 
  92. ^ "Groundhog bites Bloomberg at ceremony; on LI, Holtsville Hal sees shadow; Malverne Mel does not". Newsday. New York. 2009-02-02. http://www.newsday.com/news/local/ny-lihog0203,0,4695343.story. Retrieved 2010-12-11. 
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  94. ^ "Sun Prairie Chamber Of Commerce: Groundhog Day". Sunprairiechamber.com. http://www.sunprairiechamber.com/Groundhog-Day.109.0.html. Retrieved 2010-12-11. 
  95. ^ "LancasterOnline.com:News:Orphie says: Button up!". Articles.lancasteronline.com. 2009-02-02. http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/233337. Retrieved 2010-12-11. 
  96. ^ Staten Island Chuck predicts spring is near. Staten Island Advance news alert. February 2, 2009.
  97. ^ a b "No surprises as Wiarton Willy and pals predict more winter". London Free Press. 2009-02-02. http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/News/Local/2009/02/02/8234661.html. 
  98. ^ "Groundhog Predicts More Winter Weather". Associated Press. 200-02-02. http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h9QyJTGgYYlXk_v2-dys7Cz9BCsgD8UI7EQ80. 
  99. ^ Dunkirk Dave predicts early spring. Dunkirk Observer news alert. February 2, 2009.
  100. ^ "Marmot Adventures Groundhog 2008". Marmotadventures.com. 2008-02-02. http://www.marmotadventures.com/php/story.php?2008-02-02,1. Retrieved 2010-12-11. 
  101. ^ "Groundhog Predicts More Winter Weather". Associated Press. 2008-02-02. http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h9QyJTGgYYlXk_v2-dys7Cz9BCsgD8UI7EQ80. 
  102. ^ "Wisconsin's Jimmy the groundhog predicts an early spring". Associated Press. WBAY-TV. 2008-02-03. http://www.wbay.com/Global/story.asp?S=7815124. 
  103. ^ West, Shirley (2008-02-03). "Early spring? Dunkirk Dave says yes!". Dunkirk Observer. http://www.observertoday.com/articles.asp?articleID=19028. 
  104. ^ Limey, Franklin. Pat Lane Calls Early Spring Yet Again! Yankee Herald February 3, 2008.
  105. ^ a b "Canada's groundhogs agree: Spring's coming early". CTV. 2008-02-02. http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080202/groundhog_day_080202/20080202?hub=TopStories. 
  106. ^ Stradling, Richard. "2008-02-03". The News & Observer. http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/920232.html. 
  107. ^ a b Lytle, Steve (2008-02-02). "Charlotte's groundhog sees shadow". The Charlotte Observer. http://www.charlotte.com/breaking_news/story/474658.html. 
  108. ^ "Past Predictions". 2011-02-02. http://www.groundhog.org/groundhog-day/past-predictions/. 
  109. ^ a b "An early spring, says Malverne Mel". Newsday. 2008-02-02. http://www.newsday.com/news/local/ny-liground0202,0,1636022.story. 
  110. ^ "Buckeye Chuck Fails to See Shadow". WCMH. 2008-02-02. http://www.nbc4i.com/midwest/cmh/news.apx.-content-articles-CMH-2008-02-02-0002.html. 
  111. ^ a b Phillips, David. "Groundhog Day". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Foundation of Canada. http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/groundhog-day. 
  112. ^ Groundhog Day History. Stormfax Weather Almanac.
  113. ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039681/
  114. ^ Groundhog Day (1993)
  115. ^ "The spiritual power of repetitive form: Steps toward transcendence in Groundhog Day." Suzanne Daughton, Critical Studies in Mass Communication. Annandale: Jun 1996. Vol. 13, Iss. 2; p. 138, 17 pgs
  116. ^ The Associated Press. "Alaska to celebrate its first Marmot Day," Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. Feb. 1, 2010. Accessed Feb. 1, 2010.

References

  • Cohen, H.; Coffin, T.P. (1987). The Folklore of American Holidays. Detroit, Michigan: Gale Research. 
  • Yoder, Don (2003). Groundhog Day. Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania: Stackpole Books. ISBN 0-8117-0029-1. 

Further reading

  • Aaron, Michael A., Brewster B. Boyd, Jr., Melanie J. Curtis, Paul M. Sommers, Punxsutawney's Phenomenal Phorecaster. The College Mathematics Journal, Vol. 32, No. 1 (Jan., 2001), pp. 26–29 doi 10.2307/2687216
  • Old, W.C., and P. Billin-Frye. The Groundhog Day Book of Facts and Fun. Morton Grove, IL: Albert Whitman, 2004.
  • Pulling, A.F. Around Punxsutawney. Charleston, S.C.: Arcadia, 2001.

External links

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