When Groundhog Day Becomes Controversial |
Groundhog Day levity has arrived just in time — but not everyone thinks so.
Every Feb. 2, Phil the Groundhog emerges from his burrow at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa. If he sees his shadow, winter will last six more weeks; if not, spring is just around the corner.
This quirky ritual was brought to Punxsutawney in 1887 by Pennsylvania Dutch immigrants of German descent. Its roots trace to European weather lore on Candlemas Day, a Christian feast celebrated Feb. 2. In German-speaking regions, a proverb held that sunny skies on Candlemas meant more winter, while cloudy skies signaled an early spring.
Over time, this tradition merged with the idea of a hibernating animal — a badger in Europe, a groundhog in America — emerging from its den. Thus began a grand spectacle.
Every year, members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club don tuxedos and top hats, recite mock prognostications and perform choreographed rituals before roughly 50,000 spectators and........