Every 2nd
Feb, All eyes are on largest member of the Squirrel family- The Groundhog. Do
you know why? Want to know the history and Fun Facts about this unusual North
American festival?? Well, you just need to scroll down further! - Brought to
you by PartsAvatar Car Parts.
Groundhog Day is
famous and celebrated in Canada and United States every 2nd Feb. Groundhog
is growing more and more popular in Canada. Though it is not a public holiday
in Canada, yet areas around parks and streets may be busy in towns where ground
hog events are popular. Want to know why? Read further!
The Groundhog’s Forecast and Canadian Winters
Groundhog has
its roots in Germany where people watched badgers to predict the winter weather
and decide when to begin planting crops. This strange custom was introduced to
Pennsylvania by German immigrants in 1800s. Since, badgers weren’t common in North
America groundhog became the trusted animal for weather forecasting.
Canadian winters
are much longer and harsher as compared to European one. While winter in Western
Europe is finished by 2nd Feb., in Canada it is still snowy past
that date.
Groundhog Day
has become a fun way to anticipate the coming of spring. The town of
Punxsutawney hosts a weeklong festival where the groundhog Phil is the center
of attraction. The event attracts thousands of curious onlookers and is
followed by entertainment activities like Parade, hockey tournaments, dance
etc.
According to the
tradition, if a groundhog sees its shadow, there will be six weeks more of
winter. And if it doesn’t, then it’s a sign of early spring. It is observed
that groundhogs aren’t best at predicting the arrival of spring.
Now that you
have read enough history, let’s get back to the fun part, i.e. facts about
celebrity Groundhog Phil and this day.
Groundhogs were eaten to celebrate Groundhog Day!
Thanks for the
prediction, now you will be our prey! Yes it is true! It is said that on
February 2, 1887, natives of Pennsylvania celebrated this day by eating
groundhogs. But after the popularity of Punxsutawney Phil began to grow, they
stopped doing so. Were they ancestors of Bear Grilles by any chance??
Punxsutawney Phil is old as hell!!
Punxsutawney
Phil is 123 years old! It is said that Phil has been drinking a magic potion
for his longevity. On an average, groundhogs survive for seven years. But our
Phil is immortal and is always going to predict the weather. His guardians say
that Phil has been drinking an elixir of life-a groundhog punch at annual
picnic for his immortality.
Accurate? Not so much!
According to
national climate data center, Phil has been wrong 15 times since 1988. Phil’s
stardom must have had affected his abilities. Phil the weatherman tries to deny
the coming blizzard because it’s inconvenient. So, work with what you have!
Phil is not the only star of the Groundhog Day!
Phil is not the
only weather man nor can he claim the spotlight alone. He faces tough
competition from other rodents like Buckeye Chuck of Ohio, General Beauregard
Lee of Georgia, Staten Island Chuck and Wiarton Willie of Ottawa, Canada.
Groundhog Day could have been Badger day.
The Modern Groundhog
Day is evolved from Europe’s Candelmas Day and German Catholics celebrated a
similar tradition with sacred badgers. Groundhogs replaced badgers, because
Badgers proved hard to come by Pennsylvania.
Phil resides with his wife in Town library!
Phil lives a
quite life, when he is not on the job of prediction with his wife Phyllis in a
heated area of children’s section of Punxsutawney Library! Phil’s wife cooled
down his husband when he threatened the public to impose 60 weeks of additional
winter if he wasn’t allowed a drink during prohibition. Phil’s wife is smart!
Phil’s care takers are called -the Inner circle!
If you think
Phil is alone, then mind you, he has back up from “the groundhog club’s Inner
circle” a.k.a. the guys in the top hats. The club is made of dignitaries who
are responsible for carrying on the tradition. When Phil emerges from burrow,
he tells his forecast to the men in top hat in “Groundhogese”, which they
translate for the proclamation! Got to learn Groundhogese!
Time to get a Robot- Groundhog!
Groundhog’s
safety is not guaranteed. In 1999, Canadiangroundhog Wiarton Willie died the Sunday prior to Groundhog Day. PETA,
in the wake of events, suggested replacing Phil with a robot groundhog. You can
hope for more accurate prediction than before right!
Phil had been charged of fraudulent weather
prediction!
Law is equal for
every being on this earth. In 2013, an Ohio lawyer Sued Phil for fraud. The Ohiolawyer wrote in his letter that Phil intentionally caused the people
to believe that spring would come early and Misinterpretation of weather caused
chaos among citizens. The punishment of this offence was death penalty.
Phil had a
formidable team of character witnesses behind him, as starring in Groundhog
Day helped Phil forge “lifelong and loyal friendships with the lesser
supporting cast including Bill Murray, Andy MacDowell and Chris Elliot,” the
firm wrote. Phew, it was a close call for Phil.
Things to do on this day!
We can learn to
be kind to others from this day. If your life becomes a redundant cycle of work
and sleep, there’s still time to try new things. Take up ice sculpting or
learn to play piano; you never know when it will come in handy.
Read about the
history of Groundhog Day. Romans celebrated a similar event which also
held that if a hedgehog emerging from its hibernation in the
moonlight could see its shadow, there would be six more weeks of winter.
You can watch
the telecast on TV or on your own. Watch to see whether the groundhog or not
emerges from its burrow. Be prepared for a longer winter if he sees a shadow!
Don’t forget to
watch the Groundhog movie.
If you are
holding a party, it can be great idea to bake groundhog shaped cookies. You can
also make groundhog cupcakes and can even engage kids in this fun.
So, find your
own groundhog to ogle this Feb.
Merry Groundhog
Day!
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