Today is Wednesday February 2, 2011
Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day is an annual holiday that has been celebrated in the United States and Canada for centuries. According to folklore, if the groundhog emerges from his burrow and does not see his shadow he will leave his burrow. This signifies the end of winter. On the other hand, if the groundhog does see his shadow, he will retreat back into his burrow and winter will continue for at least another six weeks.
This Groundhog Day tradition stems from ancient European weather lore. But in Europe it is a badger or sacred bear that is the predictor of weather as opposed to a groundhog.
So how much longer is winter going to last? Only Punxsutawney Phil knows the answer to that question. He has been making predictions for over 120 years. If the groundhog does not see his shadow today, we will have an early spring!
Share the fun with friends - send a Groundhog Day eCard today!
"Images and text courtesy of MyPunchbowl.com" -- http://www.mypunchbowl.com/
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On this day in History:
| 1536 - The Argentine city of Buenos Aires was founded by Pedro de Mendoza of Spain. 1887 - The beginning of Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, PA. 1897 - The Pennsylvania state capitol in Harrisburg was destroyed by fire. The new statehouse was dedicated nine years later on the same site. 1900 - Six U.S. cities, Boston, Detroit, Milwaukee, Baltimore, Chicago and St. Louis, agreed to form baseball's American League. 1967 - The American Basketball Association was formed by representatives of the NBA. 1981 - "Late Night with David Letterman" premiered on NBC. |
Quote of the Day:
If you want to know your past life, look at your present condition,
if you want to know your future life,
look at your present actions.
--Buddhist Teaching
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