The modern groundhog day holiday is based on ancient celebrations of the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, prompted by the early signs of spring. The true story behind groundhog day lead big 1 of 9. The surprising history of punxsutawney phils rise to fame goes back thousands of years. Jul 22, 2019 groundhog day is a special holiday thats only celebrated in the united states and canada, and thats why the films creators decided to change the title of the movie for other countries. When autoplay is enabled, a suggested video will automatically play next. Wendie old provides plenty of information about groundhogs and the origin of groundhog day in this book of. Today 2 february is groundhog day and i thought that this book would be apropos to read today. Falling midway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, february 2 is. The history of how groundhog day started readers digest. Why groundhogs supposedly predict the weather on groundhog day. Tomorrow, as poor punxsutawney phil is hoisted into the air to divine our future weather, you might find yourself wondering how on earth this. The story behind groundhog day book oakville public. T o the unfamiliar, groundhog day is perhaps one of americas weirdest traditions.
Feb 01, 2017 follow along with grandma as she reads aloud groundhog day. Groundhog day has its roots in the ancient christian tradition of candlemas, when clergy would bless and distribute candles needed for winter. Groundhog day, celebrated across the united states and canada, on february 2, is purely a north american tradition. Groundhog day, a much misunderstood holiday, finally has a book that does it justice. If there is no shadow, an early spring is predicted. The history behind groundhogs day stretches back to the 1700s in pennsylvania when the pennsylvannia dutch settlers used a badger as a weather predictor instead of the groundhog. And in groundhog day, bill murray is forced to repeat the same wretched day, and listen to the same wretched sonny and cher song, in punxsutawney, pa. Phil connors is a tv weatherman who thinks that his current job at a local pittsburgh station is a waste of his talent. It has several chapters, with different focuses on history, the science of the changing seasons and reasons for hibernation, groundhog information, cultural background, the prognostication reliability of punxsutawney phil and even a chapter on planning a. Jun 28, 2012 i know the answers to these questions. With her signature combination of simple, clear text and bright illustrations, gibbons introduces everything you need to know about groundhogs, too what. The earliest mention of groundhog day is an entry on february 2, 1840. Gibbons teaches kids about the homes and habits of groundhogs while explaining the history behind the superstitions and fun customs of the yearly celebration.
Filled with groundhog day history, lore, and popular culture, it is a great pleasure to read any time of the year. Old provides information about groundhogs and the origins of groundhog day in this book of facts and fun. It is a cursory history about this unusual holiday. It is based on a belief that on this day february 2 the groundhog, or woodchuck, comes out of hole after winter hibernation to look for its shadow. Based on the classic bill murray comedy, groundhog day. The earliest mention of groundhog day is an entry on february 2, 1840, in the diary of james l. Jan 30, 2019 explore groundhog day s shadowy history as well as interesting facts about the custom. Keep calm and look for your shadow february 2 groundhog day quotes groundhog phil groundhogs day groundhogs day quotes groundhog day happy groundhogs day happy groundhog day quotes pennsylvania may have punxsutawney phil, but georgia has general beauregard lee who did not see his shadow this groundhog day. Join the story behind discussion group on facebook.
What is the symbolism behind the movie groundhog day. Although the origins of the day are unclear, many people believe that groundhog day originated from an ancient european weather lore where the weather was predicted by a badger or sacred bear, rather than a groundhog. Back to the book groundhog day is a 1993 american fantasy comedy film directed by harold ramis and written by ramis and danny rubin. The history of groundhog day dates back to february 2, 1887. Punxsutawney phil is part of a tradition with roots that extend back thousands of years. When screenwriter danny rubin first handed the script to director harold ramis, rubin wanted the movie to start right in the. Listen to the the story behind episode groundhog day on. The groundhog day book of facts and fun by wendie c. Kate atkinsons groundhog day fiction the new york times. Candlemas falls halfway between winter solstice and spring equinox and has a long history of importance in many cultures throughout europe and was brought to north american in the 1800s by the germans. It stars bill murray as phil connors, a tv weatherman who, during an assignment covering the annual groundhog day event, is caught in a time loop, repeatedly reliving the same day.
Readers might hope for a sunny start to february and an early start to spring, but what will the groundhog say. Every year on february 2, crowds gather at gobblers knob in punxsutawney, pennsylvania, to watch a groundhog emerge for the day. Groundhog day is mostly celebrated in the us and canada and is based on a superstition held by the pennsylvania dutch that the if a groundhog emerges on february 2nd and sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. The first official groundhog day celebration took place on february 2, 1887, in punxsutawney, pennsylvania. The guys basically an egomaniac, so he definitely isnt impressed when his bosses send him off to the small town of punxsutawney, pennsylvania to cover the annual groundhog day festivities.
Feb 02, 2011 the history of groundhog day groundhog day may be associated with the 1993 bill murray film, but its origins lie with german settlers in the 18th century. Nominated for 7 tony awards, including best musical and best original score, paramount theatre is beyond proud to present the midwest regional premiere of this uproariously funny. Thats what people shout each year on february 2nd if the famous groundhog in punxsutawney, pennsylvania, sees his shadow. Groundhog day en the story behind en mp30302 a las 06. Whats the history of groundhog day february 2 each year and what is the connection to punxsutawney, pennsylvania. Rhyming groundhog day picture book for kids about a groundhog preparing for groundhog day with a new suit. A fun and informative book about the origins of groundhog day and an explanation for whats the groundhog s observations mean and why.
A history, and 5 facts you didnt know huffington post 2nd february, 2019 was hedgehog day groundhog day. Morris of morgantown, in pennsylvania dutch country, according to the book on the subject by don yoder. From books about the history and customs behind the day to silly stories about groundhogs who decide to go on strike, the titles on this list are just right for teaching about all things groundhog day. Groundhog day is a popular american tradition observed in the united states and canada on. Gail gibbons clear, simple wording presents information about groundhog day, its origins, and the animal at the center of this delightful annual event. But the holidays origins are much weirder than that, and they involve a woodgathering witch, a roman hedgehog, and a whole lot of candles. On this day in 1887, groundhog day, featuring a rodent meteorologist, is celebrated for the first time at gobblers knob in punxsutawney, pennsylvania. This was a welsh enclave but the diarist was commenting on his neighbors who were of german stock. There are countless interpretations of the movie, but my favorite is the idea that groundhog day is a metaphor for psychoanalysis. Its best suited for grades 12, but my 3rd graders were able to. Groundhog day almost became a sequel to caddyshack groundhog day went through many changes and edits in every stage, from the initial script, to complete scenes ending up changed or not in the film at all. With ageappropriate text, this book explores the history of groundhog day from its origins as a pagan celebration to today. Groundhog pictures groundhog day activities history meaning happy groundhog day old farmers almanac drawing conclusions. I know groundhog day is still officially nine days off, but i guess adam schiff and nancy pelosi came out of their hole in the ground early and saw their shadow.
The production history of groundhog day can completely change the way we look at this movie, especially when you focus on the question of how many days phil connors is supposed to actually spend stuck in february 2nd. The observance of groundhog day in the united states first occurred in german communities in pennsylvania, according to known records. Follow along with grandma as she reads aloud groundhog day. Teach students all about groundhog day with the 11 fiction and nonfiction books on this list. The text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. When groundhog day was released in sweden, its title was changed to monday the entire week. Each february 2nd, americans wait to see if phil, the celebrated groundhog of punxsutawney, pennsylvania, will see his shadow. And who better to write it than the acknowledged master of american folklife studies, don yoder. The development of holidays such as groundhog day also shows the desire human. Groundhog day murmeltiertag, pennsylvania dutch grundsaudaag ist ein kulturelles. Groundhog day activities, book ideas, and printables for. Groundhog day is celebrated on february 2, which is known as candlemas in the church.
Groundhog day isnt the only crossquarter holiday that has stuck to the modern calendar. First, groundhog day is spoken about and celebrated in many elementary schools. Im your host, emily prokop, and this is the story behind groundhog day. A short history of groundhog day smart news smithsonian.
Explore groundhog days shadowy history as well as interesting facts about the custom. One of the truly american holidays, if it can be called that, is groundhogs day. After the big groundhog day evening dance, rita and phil retire together to phils room. Mar 24, 20 and in groundhog day, bill murray is forced to repeat the same wretched day, and listen to the same wretched sonny and cher song, in punxsutawney, pa. This book would allow students to gain knowledge on what happens on the specific day and what a groundhog is. One such change was the relationship between phil and the groundhog. The history of groundhog day groundhog day may be associated with the 1993 bill murray film, but its origins lie with german settlers in the 18th century. He crafts a report on the groundhog day celebration so eloquent that all the other stations turn their microphones to him. Groundhog day the official website of the punxsutawney groundhog club englisch. They believe that if ritas there, the cycle may be interrupted. On february 2, 1887, groundhog day, featuring a rodent meteorologist, is celebrated for the first time at gobblers knob in punxsutawney, pennsylvania. Harold ramisthe movies directoronce spoke of the many mental health professionals who have compared the repetitio. When german settlers arrived in the 1700s, they brought a tradition known as candlemas day, which has an early origin in the pagan celebration of imbolc. Fullcolour images provide an upclose look at these furry little weather predictors.
Groundhog day rookie readabout holidays is a simple book, but has some decent pictures and facts. An animal might seem like a strange and unreliable. Groundhog day is a 1993 american fantasy comedy film directed by harold ramis and written by ramis and danny rubin. In 2006, the film was added to the united states national film registry as. Gail gibbons combines clear, simple wording with her signature illustrations to present information about groundhog. The idea of groundhog day comes from an ancient christian celebration known as candlemas day, which marked the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, according to the. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. It was the brainchild of local newspaper editor clymer freas, who sold a group of businessmen and groundhog huntersknown collectively as the punxsutawney groundhog clubon the idea. A fun and informative book about the origins of groundhog day and an explanation for whats the groundhogs observations mean and why. The musical is full of fertile and feverish theatrical imagination, the new york times raved.