The Real Event That Inspired Bill Murray’s Iconic Movie groundhog day is one of the strangest in the American calendar and is happening today.
Punxsutawney Phil, Pennsylvania groundhog meteorologist, solemnly announces his long-range weather forecast. February 2 comes back for a different prophecy every year.
Here’s how and when the world’s most famous groundhog did his duty, and how one of the world’s strangest traditions became known around the world.
What is Groundhog Day?
For the uninitiated, the marmot is a rodent from the marmot family, which are essentially large squirrels.
It can be found throughout North America, where it is variously referred to as lumberjack, whistle, red monk, and even thickwood badger.
The most famous of all groundhogs is undoubtedly Punxsutawney Phil, who lives a few miles from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, in a hole on a hill called Gobblers Knob.
Each year, Punxsutawney Phil leaves Gobbler’s Knob on the morning of February 2, the same day as the Christian holiday of Candlemas.
This holy day is traditionally associated with setting the tone for future weather, according to an old English proverb:
When Candlemas are fair and clear
Winter has another flight.
When the Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Winter will not return.
Groundhog Day, founded by the German community in Pennsylvania in the 19th century, follows this folklore.
If Punxsutawney Phil goes outside and finds that the weather is “good and clear”, he will see his shadow and retire to Gobblers Knob where the winter will last another six weeks.
However, if the hairy weatherman encounters overcast conditions, spring will arrive early this year.
Punxsutawney Phil has been making his predictions since 1886 and estimates him to be at least 136 years old, far more than the six years most wild marmots can expect.
According to official data, the fortune teller squirrel’s longevity is associated with its use of the “elixir of life”, the formula of which remains a secret.
How can I follow the live forecast?
1993 edition of Murray’s cult classic groundhog day introduced the festival to a global audience, with a reported 40,000 people arriving in Punxsutawney for the ceremony.
And while people in the UK can’t see it in person, you can watch it live here on this page.
Punxsutawney Phil begins his annual service at approximately 6:30 AM ET (11:30 AM in the UK).
Source: I News
I am Michael Melvin, an experienced news writer with a passion for uncovering stories and bringing them to the public. I have been working in the news industry for over five years now, and my work has been published on multiple websites. As an author at 24 News Reporters, I cover world section of current events stories that are both informative and captivating to read.