Groundhog’s Day is Tomorrow…Again

You either got that joke or you're saying "Well, duh...of course it is.  It's every February 2nd!"

Of course my reference is to the move "Groundhog's Day" starring Bill Murray but do you know where this day of prominence began? 

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the celebration began as a Pennsylvania German custom in southeastern and central Pennsylvania

According to Wikipedia the first documentation came from a storekeeper in 1881.  A diary entry of a Morgantown, Pennsylvania storekeeper by the name of James Morris stated, "Last Tuesday, the 2nd, was Candlemas day, the day on which, according to the Germans, the Groundhog peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back for another six weeks nap, but if the day be cloudy he remains out, as the weather is to be moderate."

Some may remember this English poem- If Candlemas be fair and bright, Winter has another flight. If Candlemas brings clouds and rain, Winter will not come again.

No groundhogs were harmed in the research and/or writing of this article...just saying.