National Groundhog Day

After its official start in 1887 in the United States of America, Groundhog Day has grown in size and scope from its relatively humble beginnings. Even before it was official, though, there is a record of this day being observed in the US as early as 1840 as recorded in a private diary. 1866 was the first time it was recorded in a newspaper. 

The custom started as a superstition among the Pennsylvania Dutch people, a group of German-speaking immigrants who settled in the state in the 1700s and 1800s after fleeing religious persecution in Europe. The stories about the rodent weather predictions may have begun with German ideas regarding a badger. 

After the United States made the day an official holiday, Clymer H. Freas was the editor of the Punxsutawney Spirit, a local newspaper in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. He began to herald the town’s groundhog as the official “Groundhog Day Meteorologist”. The branding worked because when most people hear about this day now, who pops to mind? That’s right! It’s Punxsutawney Phil!

Sadly, Phil is only correct 39% of the time...