A groundhogs ability to divine the weather to come is based on whether or not he sees his shadow upon emerging from his dwelling. "Theyre selective," says the Smithsonian's Thorington. Then-mayor Jon Freund, left, leans in for Jimmy the Groundhogs prognostication on Feb. 2, 2015 just before he was famously bitten on the ear by the groundhog during Sun Prairies Groundhog Day celebration. Fur: Groundhogs have thick fur that ranges in . HAROLD RAMIS: My mother-in-law lived for 35 years in a Zen Buddhist meditation center. It's both profound and there's something really reassuring about knowing that on some level you're going to be the same goofy time waster you ever were. CNN Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow Wednesday, meaning that if you believe in a groundhog's ability to predict the weather - we're in for six more weeks of winter. The director Harold Ramis didn't intend for his movie Groundhog Day to be heralded by religious thinkers as an example of how to live life, but that's exactly what happened after it was released in 1993. And since the animals are herbivoresand prefer tender, young greensthey can make nuisances of themselves by raiding crops. Hibernation: The animal is one of a few true hibernators. Geography: Groundhogs are found from the eastern and central United States northward across Canada and into Alaska. But if Candlemas Day is mild or brings rain. Its heart rate slows from about 80 beats per minute to 5 and its breathing slows from around 16 breaths per minute to as few as 2. The day after Storm Betty had wreaked havoc across Ireland, in the balmy late August sunshine it was left to Andy Farrell's side to inflict severe damage on England's unravelling plans. Every day's 'Groundhog Day'. Here's how to break up the monotony of Groundhogs hibernate from late fall for roughly three months, then wake up when it's still quite cold. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. MzA5MGVjNzQyZjRhNjRhZjA3YzRhYmNhMDNkOGU4NWUyMGYwNjhhYmQ4ZWYx With Trump out, which Republican candidates will participate in the first GOP debate? Nowadays, the yearly festivities in Punxsutawney are presided over by a band of local dignitaries known as the Inner Circle. They grow up to 25 inches long and can live for 10 years in captivity. And the weekends, it can be double that.". Habits. "The males come out and start to prepare for the mating season," says Zervanos, which involves surveying their turf and making house-calls to female burrows as early as February. Then Act 3 rescues the perpetual day. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. What Do Groundhogs Eat? They then read the prognostication aloud to the gathered crowd. MTMxOGRhMGUyNzMwZWI2MzQ1N2ExM2I1OTljZDFiN2ZlZDIzMjAxZTc3Zjg5 Bring to a boil and cook for 10 minutes. PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. - that all these different groups each saw their own teachings in this kind of screwball comedy. A groundhog's burrow can be anywhere from eight to 66 feet long, with multiple exits and a number of chambers. How does Groundhog Day work? What happens if the groundhog sees its When he was held up to Mayor Jonathon Freuds ear, he was apparently not happy to have been disturbed from his slumber and promptly took a bite. SHAPIRO: Mary Elizabeth Williams speaking with us about the 25th anniversary of the movie "Groundhog Day." All rights reserved (About Us). Even their maternal duty to their young is short and sweet. SHAPIRO: When you first watched it you were, like, in your 20s. They thought it expresses a fundamental Buddhist concept. so take your pick - NPR Sounds familiar, right? Few animals hibernate as long as groundhogs. 10 Groundhog Day Activities for Kids Plus Fun Holiday Facts for Your If Phil stares at his shadow and dives back into his burrow, the citizens of Punxsutawney can anticipate 6 more weeks of winter. How much will Florida minimum wage rise to in September 2023? Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 7/1/2023). All rights reserved, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The Celts, for instance, celebrated it as Imbolc, a pagan festival marking the beginning of spring. Over the course of their 135-year stint at Gobblers Knob, Phil has predicted winter a whopping 106 times. Phil . How does Groundhog Day work and how do we know what Phil says? According to the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau and the Punxsutawney Area Chamber of Commerce, Groundhog Day rakes in over $1 million every year. Germans developed their own take on the legend, pronouncing the day sunny only if badgers and other small animals glimpsed their own shadows. YTY0YWVjZTBjMzk5MzM3NjIxMmQ1ODM0MWZhODU4ZDVjMzhmZDBlNzMzZGQz While another long winter prediction may be all doom and gloom, that annual boost to the local economy is certainly something to smile about. They sometimes also live in dense forests. Diet: Groundhogs are vegetarian. WILLIAMS: And this is really a story about the incredible, painstaking, patience-testing process of learning and failing. Phil emerges from his burrow every year on February 2, hence the name Groundhog Day. This year is also the 25th anniversary of the movie "Groundhog Day." (SOUNDBITE OF FILM, "GROUNDHOG DAY") MURRAY . According to the Inner Circle, Phil holds an impressive 100% accuracy rate, but his record may be closer to 80% accurate. Of course, after Feb. 2, there are only 47 days left of astronomical winter which ends on or about March 21. Since making his first prediction in 1887,Punxsutawney Phil has been right 39% of the time, according to the Stormfax Weather Almanac. NWZmNjQwYzE2MTUwYzBmZGU0YTlmZTNkMjc0MDU1MGE5NTBlMDhiNDgyZTIy However, February 2, 2020, set a record: The Groundhog Club estimates that a whopping 40,000 people attended the festival that year. Clare Mulroy USA TODAY You may know Groundhog Day from the 1993 film in which a TV weatherman finds himself reliving the same day over and over again. It is not a federal holiday, meaning banks, mail services, trash services, schools, grocery stores, federal offices, local governments, libraries and stock markets will be open. There have been other memorable mishaps that have made national headlines such as Jimmy in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin in 2015. Updated: August 18, 2023 | Original: February 2, 2012. Groundhog Day is a popular observance in many parts of the United States. Of course, the weather conditions on Feb. 2 at single locations like Sun Prairie or Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, tells us nothing about the weather for the rest of the winter season. What Is Groundhog Day and Why Do We Care? Groundhog Day, which offers the most anticipated weather forecast of the year, is nearly upon us. Held every year on February 2, Groundhog Day is a unique U.S. celebration in which people turn to these mammals to predict the weather: If the groundhog sees its shadow on that day, lore has it there will be six more weeks of winter. The tradition of weather predicting dates back over 130. HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. 2023, A&E Television Networks, LLC. Easy Groundhog Stew. This is possible due to all the energy saved by the lower metabolism. But Zervanos, whos studied groundhog hibernation extensively, points out that hibernation isnt as cut and dried a process as people think. Discard the water, refill the pan, and bring to a boil again. Millions of Americans drink raw milkbut is it safe? Groundhogs are known as "true hibernators," going into a dormant statein which their body temperature and heart rate fall dramaticallyfrom late fall until late winter or early spring. Since the 1960s, members of Phils Inner Circle, who handle Phil and read out his predictions in the Pennsylvania Dutch dialect, have shown their respect by donning top hats and suits on the day. For centuries, Americans have continued a tradition that will predict when winter will end: Groundhog Day. And this was almost a decade ago. They do not like the smell and sting of cayenne pepper. And theres some competition for that territory," he explains. BILL MURRAY: (As Phil) It's February 2, Groundhog Day. ZDhiZTBmN2VkMTc2YTRkNDI3YzM4ZDcyMjJiOTUxYzY5ZWNhMmIxYmQzMzBm If Candlemass Day be dry and fair,The half o'winter's to come and mair [more];If Candlemass Day be wet and foul,The half of winter's gane [gone] at Yule. OWRlNTllMzY1MDQ4ZmZhZjk3ZjRmZmYxM2FmYjAzZjFiODVlMTkxOWM3OTJm We strive for accuracy and fairness. Bait them with broccoli, apple slices, fresh lettuce, carrots, or sweet corn, and work the bottom of the trap into the earth. But why do we care, and does this holiday have anything to do with time travel? UNIDENTIFIED ACTORS: (As characters, singing) If I had my time again, I'd open all the doors I never looked behind before and SHAPIRO: Mary Elizabeth Williams has written about why this movie struck a chord, and she has a new article about it in Salon. Your access to this site was blocked by Wordfence, a security provider, who protects sites from malicious activity. "Theyll go for your best cabbages and best foods that you have out there. The authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record. How Does Groundhog Day Work? How doesGroundhog Day work and how do we know what Phil says? The official start of spring is not until late March, but the weather does not always follow a calendar. It is believed that if a groundhog emerging from its burrow on this day sees its shadow, it will retreat to its den and winter will persist for six more weeks. Every February 2, tens of thousands of spectators attend Groundhog Day events in Punxsutawney, a borough thats home to some 6,000 people. Act 2 of "Groundhog Day" is dark. Class: | Mammalia MTIzZjhhYWRjYWRhZDc4NGU2MWMwY2I2ZDJiNjJhM2QzZDMwNzczNzI0Njhh To accommodate its large appetite, woodchucks grow upper and lower incisors that can withstand wear and tear because they grow about a sixteenth of an inch each week, according to NWF. Stormfax, an independent almanac that has been tracking the results of Groundhog Day events since 1887, claims that Phil is right just 39% of the time. Enjoy live and on-demand online sports on DAZN. 8 Tips for Dealing With Groundhog Day Syndrome. No matter what Phil does, Groundhog Day always draws big crowds, big fireworks, and flashing cameras. Deter With Garlic and Pepper. All rights reserved. Early Pennsylvania settlers took the idea and adapted it, as groundhogs were easier to find than badgers. Their feet are darker, and their underparts are buff. 10 reasons Punxsutawney Phil should NOT see his shadow on Groundhog Day (and why spring is awesome). It was immortalized in the 1993 film Groundhog Day, which was actually shot in Woodstock, Illinois. Unauthorized use is prohibited. WILLIAMS: It does. What is the history and origin of Groundhog Day? How does Groundhog Day actually work? But I've also found that you can watch it at different times in your life and see different things in it. "Theyre pretty solitary for most of the year, so the male has no clue where the female is most of the year except when theyre ready to mate," says Penn States Zervanos. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. Mjk2OGY4ZGYwNTU0ODMwMzMwYzAwYjk0MWFjNzE4OTQ4NGUxMzE2N2IzMWVk In other words, the window of opportunity is very small and the wily woodchuck has to get it just right. The visits likely allow the animals to get to know each other before breeding in March. And now, 25 years later - it's half a lifetime later, and it feels like such a different story to me now because it really is about this character who's closer in age to now where I am who has made a lot of mistakes and is learning and keeps learning. YjkxNTY4NGFhNzVjN2E1NWMwM2MzMzE5ODZiOTQ0NmEwMzY3MjE2ZmI5ODcw Punxsutawney Phil gets ready to take center stage. Struggling to assess pandemic risks? In the case of Groundhog Day, theyre given a little nudge to wake up. YTk5YTZlY2ZkNzVkODNlN2NlN2I1ZjBjYzExN2NkMTVlZjY0MGE5OTA0ZDBk In fact, the local high school doesnt attend class on Groundhog Day because the town needs all those buses to transport folks to and from Gobblers Knob. (Somehow, it always seems to rhyme.) Every February 2, the members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club trek to Gobbler's Knob, Punxsutawney Phil's official home just outside of town. The Germans expanded upon this concept by using a hedgehog as a meteorologist. Punxsutawney Phil, the other star of the movie, is the most famous groundhog forecaster, but how does he, and his peers, foresee the weather to come? MTZhMGMwMzhlMmM2ZDg5NjNiYTc1NWFkYmQ0NjliZGMyZjc4MTRiNzkyMDA3 On this day, candles that are used for the rest of the year are blessed. And thoughGroundhog Daystarted here in 1886, its roots go back even farther. MARY ELIZABETH WILLIAMS: Thank you for having me.
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