Groundhog Day: February 2nd 2015

Groundhog Day celebrates the notoriety of the most popular American rodent: the Groundhog. The Bill Murray film, entitled Groundhog Day made the celebrated traditional special day even more noticeable worldwide.

Groundhog Day 2014: Six More Weeks of Winter Weather

Today is Groundhog Day, originating in Pennsylvania via the German immigrants where the folklore and tradition comes from. The Pennsylvania German description is Gundsaudagg, Murmeltiertag. It occurs every February 2^nd. If it is cloudy when a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day, then spring will come early; if it is sunny, the groundhog will supposedly see its shadow and retreat back into its burrow, which means that winter weather will continue for six more weeks.

In southeastern Pennsylvania, Grundsow Lodges celebrate the holiday with fersommlinge – social events that include food, speeches and entertainment. During the event only Pennsylvanian German is spoken and anyone caught speaking English pay a penalty (nickel, dime or quarter) for every English word spoken and the money is put into a bowl at the center of the table.