Groundhog Day

This is a popular North American tradition, which derives from the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog (also known as a woodchuck) comes out of its burrow and sees its shadow, it will return to its den and Winter will continue for another six weeks. If it doesn’t see its shadow, Spring will come early.

Studies have since proven that there is no association between the groundhog and Spring’s arrival, although the tradition still remains popular throughout the US. There’s even a ceremony held at Punxsutawney, western Pennsylvania.

The origins of this tradition can be traced back to the immigrants from German-speaking areas, where they had a celebration called ‘Badger Day’, or Dachstag, on Candlemas, which was much the same as Groundhog Day, but involved the local Badger, and instead of six, it was four weeks more of Winter.