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There is a never ending confusion about whether or not a groundhog sees his shadow on Groundhog Day, and this is a great conversation starter for the occasion. He might see his shadow, he might not. If he sees it, some people think that there will be six more weeks of winter. Some people believe just the opposite. Why he is looking for his shadow to begin with is also fodder for the conversation.
When this tradition began, people must have had nothing much to do, so they made up this story. Maybe you can make up your own story while attending a Groundhog Day party. Or start a joke, like, “Why did the groundhog look for his shadow?” The answers are really endless.
The origin of Groundhog Day is rather an interesting one and should be shared for this special day. Although it is recognized and celebrated on February 2nd every year, the original date goes back to February 4, 1841, in Berks County, Pennsylvania. Candelmas Day is what German people call Groundhog Day, and they believe that if the groundhog sees his shadow, he burrows back into his home underground for a six-week nap. And there is a famous statue in Wiarton, Ontario, in Canada. It is a statue of Wiarton Willy, the groundhog. The grandest celebration of this special day takes place in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. The crowds reach over 40,000, and they have celebrated together there since 1886.
So, keep the conversation about the origin of Groundhog Day, and all of the guests at your particular Groundhog Day gathering will learn a little bit of history.
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