Groundhog Day, celebrated annually on February 2nd in the US and Canada, is rooted in Pennsylvania Dutch folklore. The tradition centers around a groundhog's ability to predict the arrival of spring. If the groundhog emerges from its burrow and sees its shadow due to clear weather, it signifies six more weeks of winter. Conversely, if the groundhog doesn't see its shadow because of cloudy weather, it's believed that spring will arrive early. This tradition is a lighthearted way to anticipate the changing seasons. In 2024, the groundhog did not see its shadow and an early spring was predicted.
1900: Publication Mentioning Hedgehog Weather Prediction
A book published in 1900 by Samuel Adams Drake mentioned a belief among Roman Catholics in Britain that hedgehogs predicted the length of winter.
1902: Early Spring Prediction
In 1902, the groundhog did not see its shadow, predicting an early spring.
1907: Formation of the Slumbering Groundhog Lodge
The Slumbering Groundhog Lodge, formed in 1907 in Quarryville, Pennsylvania, conducted its own Groundhog Day ceremonies, using a taxidermied groundhog.
1915: Documentation of Groundhog Day Tradition
In 1915, a monograph documented the Groundhog Day weather superstition across fourteen counties in Dutch Pennsylvania Country.
1934: Early Spring Prediction
In 1934, the groundhog did not see its shadow, predicting an early spring.
1942: Clymer Freas and Groundhog Day
Clymer Freas (1867-1942), city editor of the Punxsutawney Spirit, is considered the "father" of Groundhog Day and may have been instrumental in its origins in Punxsutawney.
1942: Punxsutawney Phil Sees a Partial Shadow
In 1942, Punxsutawney Phil's prediction was unique, with a partial shadow sighting, adding a new dimension to the groundhog's forecasting.
1943: Groundhog Day Cancelled Due to World War II
The Groundhog Day event was cancelled in 1943 because of World War II, marking a unique interruption in the tradition's history.
1946: Scholarly Analysis of Groundhog Day Origins
In 1946, scholar Rhys Carpenter highlighted the presence of Badger Day in Germany and its absence in the British Isles, suggesting that Groundhog Day in the U.S. wasn't brought by immigrants from those regions.
1950: Early Spring Prediction
In 1950, the groundhog did not see its shadow, predicting an early spring.
1952: Sun Prairie Declares Itself "Groundhog Capital of the World"
Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, declared itself the "Groundhog Capital of the World" in 1952, in response to a Punxsutawney Spirit article.
1960: Dunkirk Dave's Debut
Dunkirk Dave, Western New York's groundhog, began his forecasting career in 1960, focusing on the remainder of winter's harshness rather than the specific arrival of spring.
1961: Groundhog Named Phil
The groundhog was officially named "Phil" in 1961, potentially referencing Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
1969: Start of Reliable Weather Data Collection
The year 1969 marked the beginning of more reliable local weather data collection, which has since been used to assess Punxsutawney Phil's accuracy.
1970: Early Spring Prediction
In 1970, the groundhog did not see its shadow, predicting an early spring.
1975: Early Spring Prediction
In 1975, the groundhog did not see its shadow, predicting an early spring.
1978: French Creek Freddie's Debut
French Creek Freddie, West Virginia's groundhog meteorologist, made his debut in 1978.
1979: Groundhog Day in "Jack Frost"
In the 1979 Rankin/Bass holiday special "Jack Frost," the Groundhog Day tradition and its origins were featured prominently, further solidifying the holiday's place in popular culture.
1983: Early Spring Prediction
In 1983, the groundhog did not see its shadow, predicting an early spring.
1986: Early Spring Prediction
In 1986, the groundhog did not see its shadow, predicting an early spring.
1987: Shubenacadie Sam's First Prediction
Shubenacadie Sam, Nova Scotia's official groundhog, made his inaugural Groundhog Day prediction in 1987, establishing a new tradition for the province.
1988: Early Spring Prediction
In 1988, the groundhog did not see its shadow, predicting an early spring.
1990: Early Spring Prediction
In 1990, the groundhog did not see its shadow, predicting an early spring.
1993: Impact of the film "Groundhog Day"
Following the release of the film "Groundhog Day" in 1993, attendance at the Punxsutawney festivities increased from about 2,000 to around 10,000.
1993: Release of "Groundhog Day" Movie
The release of the comedy film "Groundhog Day" in 1993 boosted the holiday's popularity, particularly on an international level.
1995: Early Spring Prediction
In 1995, the groundhog did not see its shadow, predicting an early spring.
1996: Malverne Mel's Debut
Malverne Mel, the groundhog of Malverne, Long Island, New York, began his forecasting duties in 1996.
1997: Early Spring Prediction
In 1997, the groundhog did not see its shadow, predicting an early spring.
1999: Early Spring Prediction
In 1999, the groundhog did not see its shadow, predicting an early spring.
2007: Early Spring Prediction
In 2007, the groundhog did not see its shadow, predicting an early spring.
2008: Milltown Mel's Arrival
Milltown Mel, the groundhog for Milltown, New Jersey, was acquired in 2008.
2009: Fred la marmotte Becomes Quebec's Forecaster
In 2009, Fred la marmotte of Val-d'Espoir took on the role of weather prognosticator for Quebec, starting a new chapter in the region's Groundhog Day observances.
2009: Staten Island Chuck Bites Mayor Bloomberg
In 2009, Staten Island Chuck, New York City's weather-forecasting groundhog, bit then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
2011: Early Spring Prediction
In 2011, the groundhog did not see its shadow, predicting an early spring.
2012: Potomac Phil's First Prediction
Potomac Phil, a taxidermic groundhog in Washington, D.C., made his debut Groundhog Day prediction in 2012, aligning with Punxsutawney Phil's forecast.
2013: Early Spring Prediction
In 2013, the groundhog did not see its shadow, predicting an early spring.
2014: Mayor de Blasio Drops Charlotte
In 2014, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio dropped Charlotte, Staten Island Chuck's daughter, during the Groundhog Day ceremony, leading to her death a week later and de Blasio's subsequent absence from the tradition.
2015: Birmingham Bill Takes a Break
Birmingham Bill, the groundhog at Birmingham Zoo, did not make a prediction in 2015, reportedly taking a break from his forecasting duties.
2015: Jimmy the Groundhog Bites Mayor Freund
In 2015, Jimmy the Groundhog bit the ear of Sun Prairie Mayor Jon Freund, leading to a mayoral proclamation absolving Jimmy of wrongdoing.
2016: Assessment of Punxsutawney Phil's Accuracy
In 2016, meteorologist Tim Roche analyzed Punxsutawney Phil's prediction accuracy from 1969 onward, using the newly available, reliable weather data.
2016: Early Spring Prediction
In 2016, the groundhog did not see its shadow, predicting an early spring.
2018: Accusations of Collusion Against Potomac Phil
In 2018, Potomac Phil faced allegations of collusion for consistently matching Punxsutawney Phil's predictions.
2019: National Centers for Environmental Information Assess Phil's Accuracy
The National Centers for Environmental Information assessed Punxsutawney Phil's prediction accuracy in 2019, further contributing to the ongoing debate about the groundhog's forecasting abilities.
2019: Potomac Phil Breaks with Tradition
After being accused of collusion, Potomac Phil contradicted Punxsutawney Phil's prediction in 2019, adding to the holiday's controversies.
2019: 133rd Groundhog Day Celebration
During the 133rd Groundhog Day celebration in 2019, the groundhog did not see its shadow, predicting an early spring.
2020: Groundhog Day Attendance in Punxsutawney
By 2020, Groundhog Day celebrations in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, drew crowds of up to 40,000, significantly more than the town's population of 5,769.
2020: Great Neck Greta's Prediction
Great Neck Greta, the groundhog of Great Neck, Long Island, made a weather prediction in 2020.
2020: Early Spring Prediction
In 2020, the groundhog did not see its shadow, predicting an early spring.
2021: Death of Milltown Mel
Milltown Mel passed away in 2021.
2021: 135th Groundhog Day Celebration Amidst Pandemic
The 135th Groundhog Day celebration in 2021 was held without public attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with most participants wearing masks. The groundhog saw its shadow, predicting six more weeks of winter.
2022: French Creek Freddie Predicts Six More Weeks of Winter
On Groundhog Day 2022, French Creek Freddie predicted six more weeks of winter.
2022: Sir Walter Wally's Retirement
Sir Walter Wally, a groundhog forecaster at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, retired in 2022, marking the end of an era for the state's Groundhog Day tradition.
2022: 136th Groundhog Day Celebration
The 136th Groundhog Day celebration in 2022 marked a return to in-person events, and the groundhog saw its shadow.
2023: 137th Groundhog Day Celebration
During the 137th Groundhog Day celebration in 2023, the groundhog saw its shadow, predicting six more weeks of winter.
2023: Death of Fred la marmotte
Fred la marmotte, Quebec's beloved weather-predicting groundhog, died in 2023, marking a significant loss for the province's Groundhog Day tradition.
2024: Groundhog Day 2024
On February 2, 2024, Groundhog Day celebrations predicted an early spring.