The First Groundhog Day eased winter woes among residents of America’s coldest states. If the groundhog saw its shadow, there would be six more weeks of winter weather. If not, spring was right around the corner. The premise was simple, but the history behind it was complex.
The First Groundhog day was rooted in ancient pagan rituals that had been practiced throughout the British Isles and Europe. The arrival of Christianity triggered clashes between the two worlds. Rather than trying to eradicate local traditions and beliefs, missionaries transformed holidays including Halloween and Christmas with a Christian twist.
Following are SEVEN things you must know about the first Groundhog Day before your next cocktail party, soccer game, groundhog day celebration or other social gathering.
#1–Many Believe Groundhog Day Started In 1887
Many sources claim that the first Groundhog Day took place in 1887 in the small town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Locals set out to Gobbler’s Knob, which was the home of Phil, a weather-predicting groundhog.
The first Groundhog Day celebration was the brainchild of Clymer Freas, a newspaper editor in Punxsutawney. He was also a member of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. Members dubbed “Punxsutawney Phil” as the official groundhog meteorologist of the United States.
Nearly every year since, the group known as the Inner Circle has trekked to Gobbler’s Knob to determine Phil’s weather prediction.
#2–But Was This Truly The First Groundhog Day?
In his 2003 book Groundhog Day, folklorist Don Yoder cites sources that discuss weather-predicting groundhogs. One in particular was in a diary entry for February 2,1840. The writer was a Welsh-American shopkeeper in Pennsylvania. He wrote:
“Today the Germans say the groundhog comes out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he returns in and remains there 40 days.”
According to the shopkeeper this was a general belief of his German neighbors. Yoder concludes that the belief and practice probably began with the bulk of Pennsylvania Dutch immigration from 1727 to 1775. So it’s likely the first Groundhog Day in America occurred well before 1887.
#3–Groundhog Day Weather Predictions Probably Started With Candelmas
Candlemas, held on February 1st and 2nd, was the holy day when villagers brought their candles needed for winter to church for blessings. In English vernacular tradition, it was called Candlemas In French the celebration was Chandeleur and in Spanish languages it was Candelaria.
Along with the blessing of candles, it was a tradition to predict how long winter would last.
According to the Library of Congress:
“All of these transitional days looked to the future, looked ahead to the next season, the coming three-month period, and hence were weather-important days.”
The tradition that launched the first Groundhog Day in America originated in parts of Europe that were originally Celtic, but later inhabited by Germanic speakers. But the Germans believed that a badger predicted winter’s end rather than a groundhog. Other than that, the traditions remain similar to this day.
Since the first Groundhog Day tradition began, many places in America and Canada celebrate February 2:
“…with an emphasis on tongue-in-cheek humor and ceremonious proclamations. It is best known among people whose ancestors spoke German, especially the Pennsylvania Dutch.”
#4–Many Think Groundhogs Are Frauds
This article from the Staunton Spectator — February 8, 1887 – says it all.
“This time we shall take a serious view of the matter, for the latter halves of our winters are just as cold and long whether his hog-ship sees his shadow or not, whether he comes out on the 2nd or stays in his hold. The little prognosticator amounts with some people to a superstition reverence and others regard the subject with ridicule and jocularity.”
#5–BTW, Groundhogs Are Not Immortal
According to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, there has only been one Phil since 1886.
This is a fable, like that of Old Rip, beloved pet horned toad who allegedly survived 31 years in a time capsule buried at the Eastland, Texas courthouse in 1897.
In truth, groundhogs can live an average of two or three years in the wild. In captivity, they can live up to 14 years.
#6–Punxsutawney Phil Has Competition
Punxsutawney Phil of the First Groundhog Day has competitors in many towns across America.
New York City Parks, for example, have several rodents of their own to forecast the likelihood of a long winter or early spring.
“Charles G. Hogg—“Staten Island Chuck”—is the best–known groundhog–meteorologist in New York, and he resides at the Staten Island Zoo in Barrett Park on Staten Island. Since 1981, Staten Island Chuck has had a strong record in predicting the weather (21 out of 27 years).” (New York City Park)
The Queen’s Zoo relies on prairie dogs to predict the end of winter.
“’Flushing Meadows Phil’ and ‘Corona Kate’ served in a weather prognosticating capacity until 2005 (the zoo no longer has prairie dogs). Zoo officials noted that as prairie dogs do not hibernate during the winter like groundhogs, the animals have a better sense of the weather.”
#7—Weather-Predicting Animals Have Native American Roots
Scott Phillips is a genealogical historian and owner of Onward To Our Past genealogical services.
Phillips writes that during his research on the first groundhog day a “genealogy curveball” was tossed into his research by a 1916 article he found in a newspaper from Trenton, New Jersey. It gave the distinct impression that Phil’s genealogy was not rooted in Pagan or Celtic tradition, but was Native American in origin.
According to the Indian traditions it was observed that at the first onslaught of winter the groundhogs burrowed into their holes.
“There they remained for two moons or a period of eight weeks. At the expiration of that period the animals again appeared on the surface. The Indians watched closed for their appearance and if the animals remained above ground, they concluded that winter was practically over.” Phillips
If on the contrary the groundhogs soon disappeared into their burrows, it was concluded that winter would last for several more weeks.
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