Ground Hog Day
Posted on October 6, 2007 - Filed Under Ground Hog
The legend of Ground hog Day is based on an old Scottish proverb: "If Candlemas Day is bright and clear, there’ll be two winters in the year."
On February 2 of every year, people gather at a wooded knoll called Gobbler’s Knob, just outside of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
The ground hog is said to be right all the time.
Until 1966, the ceremony in Punxsutawney was held in secret. Only Phil’s prediction was revealed to the public. Since, Phil’s fearless forecast has always been a national media event.
When the groundhog comes out of burrow, he looks for his shadow and utters his prediction to a Ground hog Club representative in "groundhogese." Afterwards, the representative translates this prediction for the general public.
If Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, it means that there will be six more weeks of winter. If he does not see it, it is about to become spring.
In 9 of ten cases, Phil sees his shadow.
Phil started making predictions in 1887 and has become an American institution.
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