It is that time of year again for the eccentric holiday known as Groundhog Day.
Feb. 2 is the day “Punxsutawney Phil” emerges from his underground burrow to look for his shadow and predict if spring is right around the corner or if the country is in store for six more weeks of winter.
The holiday has roots that extend throughout the centuries in various cultures, but is believed to have been brought to America by German settlers in Pennsylvania.
According to groundhog.org, Pennsylvania’s earliest settlers were Germans and they determined that the groundhog, resembling the European hedgehog, was a most intelligent and sensible animal and therefore decided that if the sun did appear on Feb. 2, so wise an animal as the groundhog would see its shadow and hurry back into its underground home for another six weeks of winter.
“Punxsutawney Phil” was made famous by the Punxsutawney Spirit newspaper, which published the first prediction in 1886.
Since then, thousands of people have flocked to Gobbler’s Knob in the small Pennsylvania town to watch Phil make his annual prediction. (Kerrville Daily Times, Conor Harrison.)
For us, Groundhog Day has another meaning. It's the day David and I first started dating 13 years ago. And coincidentally, the first movie we saw together (when we were just friends) was "Groundhog Day." Having it land on a "holiday" makes it easier to remember, like our wedding anniversay which is on Flag Day.
Oh, and I believe that groundhog saw its shadow, so six more weeks of winter.
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