Groundhog Day History

Groundhog Day marks the midway point between the winter solstice and the vernal equinox. It comes from the early Christian holiday Candlemas Day.

Groundhog Day commemorates the famous groundhog Punxsutawney Phil. The belief is that he emerged from his burrow and looked for his shadow. The tradition follows that this day helps determine how many weeks of winter might be left. It was established in 1887 and is observed annually on February 2nd.