History of Groundhog day

     Groundhog day is big in Punxsutawney, PA. The groundhog that determines the weather for the next six weeks is named Punxsutawney Phill. He was named after King Phillip. Groundhog day is celebrated on February 2 every year it is celebrated because there is a Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog sees its shadow on this day then we will have six more weeks of winter and the groundhog will go back in its burrow. If the groundhog does not see its shadow then spring will come early. 

     History.com says, “Groundhog Day has roots all the way back to the ancient Christian tradition of Candlemas. The candles represented how long and cold the winter would be. The Germans continued this tradition by picking a groundhog to determine the weather was going to be. They switched from hedgehogs to groundhogs, which were plentiful in the Keystone State”

     Some fun facts about groundhogs are they are also called woodchucks and typically weigh 12 to 18 pounds. They eat vegetables and fruits, whistle when they are frightened or looking for a mate, and can climb trees and swim.

     Check more out at : https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-groundhog-day