 Kidsville Connections
Groundhog Day And Hedgehog Day
 In Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, Groundhog Day is a big event! On February 2, Punxsutawney Phil comes out of his burrow on Gobblers Knob in front of thousands of followers from all over the world to predict the weather for the rest of winter. According to legend, if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If he does not see his shadow, there will be an early spring. The celebration of Groundhog Day began with Pennsylvanias earliest settlers. They brought with them the legend of Candlemas Day, which states, For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day, so far will the snow swirl in May.... An old Scottish couplet also proclaims, If Candlemas is fair and clear, therell be two winters in this year. (Candlemas Day is observed in the Roman Catholic Church as the presentation of Jesus in the Temple and takes place 40 days after Jesuss birth.)
According to Chases Calendar of Events, the ancient Roman tradition of Hedgehog Day was the inspiration for Groundhog Day. Romans would observe whether a hedgehog coming out of hibernation could see its shadow in the moonlight. If it saw its shadow, then six more weeks of winter were expected.
Source: www.groundhog.org, The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club; Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia; Chases 2007 Calendar of Events.
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