Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day is a yearly celebration that takes place in the United States each year on February 2nd. The concept behind this unusual holiday is that a groundhog knows if there will be six more weeks of winter, or if spring is right around the corner. This all depends, of course, if he can see his shadow or not. If the groundhog can see his shadow, winter will be extended for another six weeks, but if he does not see his shadow, then there will be spring soon. Perhaps the most famous groundhog of all is Punxsutawney Phil, the Pennsylvania groundhog that is often televised live on Groundhog Day. The mayor of the town wears a top hat and an overcoat, and proudly declares the final result when Phil the groundhog comes out of his cave or cage. Everyone is anticipating the results, and the crowd gets excited when Mr. Groundhog comes out. The 1993 hilarious Bill Murray film Groundhog Day really brought a broader attention and appreciation for the holiday. A truly comedic film, the movie portrays the main character (played by Murray) living through Groundhog Day over and over and trying to change his future. Now, people all over the country ask their friends, family, and coworkers what the final result of the groundhog’s shadow is. It is also televised live on national news networks so that everyone knows what kind of winter will be coming. Some people even incorporate the little groundhog into their gift baskets and other commemorative holiday related items. Many people think of the Groundhog Day theory much like a sundial. When the sun rises, it casts a shadow onto the sundial, and as the day progresses, the shadow moves, showing that the time has passed. Some say that this idea is exactly what is truly going on with the groundhog, at least in terms of him seeing his shadow. The groundhog is often represented in popular media such as cartoons and video games. Every city has their own name for their groundhog day. Some examples include Dunkirk Dave, Staten Island Chuck, Malverne Mel and many others. Groundhog Day is truly a fun American tradition that is also celebrated in some parts of Canada and Europe. While there is no definitive scientific evidence to prove that the groundhog’s shadow really determines what the weather for the next six weeks will be, it’s still a fun holiday that everyone can appreciate.
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