SpinnerBait_Nut
Honorary Moderator Emeritus
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2002
- Messages
- 17,651
I know, I know, it's done gone by, but thought it interesting to know the legend of this well known day. Read on.<br />____________________________________________<br />"The Legend of Groundhog Day"<br /> <br />Groundhog Day was founded in the traditions of<br />the Romans, who carried the myth to the Germans<br />during Roman invasions many centuries ago. The<br />story was also based on this Scottish couplet:<br />"If Candlemas Day is bright and clear,<br />There'll be two winters in the year."<br /> <br />Candlemas Day is celebrated on February 2nd. It<br />was determined that if any animal came out of its<br />underground hibernation on that day, and the sun<br />was out, there would be six more weeks of winter.<br />Thus was born the tradition of the "two winters" or<br />the "second winter."<br /> <br />What began as a tale from ancient times, became<br />fact in the early 1880s. A group of residents from<br />Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania decided to celebrate<br />Candlemas Day by going to the woods in search<br />of a groundhog.<br /> <br />In 1886, the editor of the local newspaper named<br />the group the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. The<br />Club deemed a certain hilltop near the town as<br />"Gobbler's Knob" proclaiming that, from this knob,<br />Punxsutawney Phil could accurately forecast the<br />weather.<br /> <br />On February 2, 1887, the first official trek to Gobbler's<br />Knob was made and Punxsutawney Phil gave his first<br />official weather forecast. From this beginning, the<br />Punxsutawney Groundhog rose to fame throughout<br />the world. Known as the "Seer of Seers", Punxsutawney<br />Phil's forecasts on February 2nd are recorded in the<br />Congressional Records held in the National Archives<br />and the Library of Congress in our Nation's capitol.<br /> <br />As news coverage of Punxsutawney Phil's forecasts<br />became more widespread, so did interest in the legend.<br />In July of 1966, Gobbler's Knob was officially opened<br />year-round to the public. In 1986, Punxsutawney Phil<br />and members of the Groundhog Club journeyed to<br />Washington D.C. to visit President Ronald Reagan<br />at the White House. In 1990, the movie "Groundhog Day,"<br />starring Bill Murray, became a smash hit at theaters.<br /> <br />Today, the popularity of Groundhog Day continues<br />to grow. As February 2nd approaches each year, the<br />town of Punxsutawney comes alive with special<br />events, celebrations, and fun as thousands of visitors<br />come to enjoy the annual trek to see Punxsutawney<br />Phil proclaim his forecast.<br />___________________________________________<br />Now that is the rest of the story. 
