Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day is an American tradition that takes place every year on February 2. Many people are gathered in Punxsutawney, a borough in southern Jefferson County, in Pennsylvania to attend this. Well, the event formally began in 1887, although its roots go back even further. Punxsutawney’s event is the most famous of many Groundhog Day festivals held in the United States and Canada. What is so special about it?

It is an event in which  predictions are made but not the usual ones. Its reputation refers to the one who makes the predictions every year and the way he does so. He is not a person, not a robot, not even our evaluated AI. In reality it is a marmot that comes with a name “Phil”.  Phil is not a common marmot. He is the only one left from its species and for this reason he drinks every summer an elixir of life for his longevity. This is usually given to him by a special club called “Punxsutawney Groundhog Club”   which was established in 1887 for his own protection. Until today, he has already predicted about 138 times. Isn’t it great?

Actually, Phil is a lot alike with the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus. He only comes out of his stump on February 2nd every year, just to forecast the weather until the end of the winter. Nevertheless, what Phil has been doing for so many years is just weird! In reality, if he emerges from his burrow on this day and sees his shadow, and then retreats back to it, then winter will go on for six more weeks. If he does not see his shadow, spring will arrive early. That is really a fabulous moment!  Who would have ever thought that a marmot could easily predict the weather for the next six weeks and tell us when the winter is going to end?

To be more specific this year, with an audience of around 40.000 people, Phil has already announced that we are going to spend another six weeks of winter. He can tell us that with the help of a translator and especially with the help of Punxsutawney Groundhog Club members. That means that he absolutely saw his shadow when he came out. Even though he is only correct about 39% of the time according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

To conclude, in my opinion, it is hard to deny that Groundhog Day is a kind of a fun and silly holiday, but it also offers a perspective on why the holiday is unique and important to American culture.  Can you imagine America without these traditions and weird Days? Do not doit because America could not exist. These are their culture. Just accept it as everyone is doing with everybody.