It appears that European settlers (particularly Germans) brought this belief with them to North America and relied on the marmot, one of the most widespread hibernating animals, to predict whether prolonged winter conditions or spring warming lay in store. Phillips, David and Laura Neilson Bonikowsky. 59. In Canada, Wiarton Willie — an albino rodent from Wiarton, Ontario, on the Bruce Peninsula (see Georgian Bay) — is the most famous groundhog ­and has been predicting the weather since 1956. The Groundhog Day ritual may have something to do with Feb. 2 landing midway between winter solstice and spring equinox, but no one knows for sure. More. The day of 2 February corresponds with Candlemas, a Christian festival (see religious festivals) during which candles are lit, hence the celebration’s name. Every February 2nd, the United States and Canada celebrate Groundhog Day to check up on Punxsutawney Phil and see whether he saw his shadow this year. The Groundhog Day ritual may have something to do with Feb. 2 landing midway between winter solstice and spring equinox, but no one knows for sure. The February Full Moon is named after the snow on the ground. Supposedly, if the Pennsylvanian groundhog sees his shadow, North America can expect six more weeks of winter. Our team will be reviewing your submission and get back to you with any further questions. In some cultures, it was known as Old Moon, Ice Moon, Snow Moon, and the Moon after Yule. Groundhog Day is considered a traditional national holiday in Canada and the … Chinese New Year marks the first day of the New Year in the Chinese calendar. Thousands of years ago when animalism and nature worship were prevalent, people in the part of Europe where Germany is today, believed that the badger had the power to predict the coming of spring. It is said that Punxsutawney Phil (the groundhog) was named after King Phillip. Groundhog Day A narcissistic TV weatherman, along with his attractive-but-distant producer and mawkish cameraman, is sent to report on Groundhog Day in the small town of Punxsutawney, where he finds himself repeating the same day over and over. On Groundhog Day, Canada's Wiarton Willie Called Early Spring, Shubenacadie Sam Says More Winter But Punxsutawney Phil could be the tiebreaker. The movie “Groundhog Day” from 1993, starring comedian Bill Murray, made Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania famous worldwide. For example, Shubenacadie Sam is reportedly the first groundhog in the country to stick its head out on Groundhog Day. He lives in a house in Bluewater Park, safe from predators, and the town of Wiarton cares for him year-round. There are also other groundhogs in different parts of Canada. Meteorological data from 13 Canadian cities over the past 30 to 40 years indicate that there have been an equal number of sunny and cloudy days on 2 February. Meteorological data from 13 Canadian cities over the past 30 to 40 years indicate that there have been an equal number of sunny and cloudy days on 2 February. Groundhog Day (Pennsylvania German: Grund'sau dåk, Grundsaudaag, Grundsow Dawg, Murmeltiertag; Nova Scotia: Daks Day ) is a popular North American tradition observed in the United States and Canada on February 2. It’s Groundhog Day in Canada. The entrances to groundhogs’ burrows are also usually covered in thick layers of snow and ice in early February. Thousands of visitors come to Gobbler’s Knob on Groundhog Day as well as throughout the rest of the year. . Toll-free (Canada … We diligently research and continuously update our holiday dates and information.