The History of Groundhog Day

AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

February 2 is known throughout the United States and even the world as "Groundhog Day." The tradition calls for a groundhog (a fairly large and furry rodent that's also known as a woodchuck) to emerge from his burrow. If the groundhog sees its shadow, it scurries back into his burrow, signifying that we have 6 more weeks of winter.  If he does not see his shadow, all can rejoice as winter is coming to an end.  But where does this tradition come from?

According to wikipedia:

The holiday, which began as a Pennsylvania German custom in southeastern and central Pennsylvania in the 18th and 19th centuries, has its origins in ancient European weather lore, wherein a badger or sacred bear is the prognosticator as opposed to a groundhog. The holiday also bears some similarities to the medieval Catholic holiday of Candlemas. It also bears similarities to the Pagan festival of Imbolc, the seasonal turning point of the Celtic calendar, which is celebrated on February 1 and also involves weather prognostication and to St. Swithun's Day in July.

An early American reference to Groundhog Day can be found in a diary entry, dated February 5, 1841, of Berks County, Pennsylvania storekeeper James Morris:

Last Tuesday, the 2nd, was Candlemas day, the day on which, according to the Germans, the Groundhog peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back for another six weeks nap, but if the day be cloudy he remains out, as the weather is to be moderate.

In Scotland the tradition may also derive from an English poem:

As the light grows longer
The cold grows stronger
If Candlemas be fair and bright
Winter will have another flight
If Candlemas be cloud and rain
Winter will be gone and not come again
A farmer should on Candlemas day
Have half his corn and half his hay
On Candlemas day if thorns hang a drop
You can be sure of a good pea crop

This tradition also stems from similar beliefs associated with Candlemas Day and Groundhog Day. Candlemas, also known as the Purification of the Virgin or the Presentation, coincides with the pagan observance Imbolc.

Squirrel Appreciation Day

Today, January 21, is national Squirrel Appreciation Day. These small, furry creatures are found throughout the world and in many sizes, shapes and colors.  Although sometimes a pest, few can say that these cousins of rats aren't at least a little cute. Squirrel Appreciation Day was created by Christy Hargrove, a wildlife rehabilitator from Asheville, North Carolina. Started in 2001, Christy says the, "celebration of the event itself is up to the individual or group." Read the original store here.

Some squirrel facts from nwf.org:

• There are more than 300 species of squirrel.
• Different types of squirrels range in size from five inches (the African pygmy squirrel) to three feet (Indian giant squirrel).
• The word "squirrel" comes from the Greek word skiouros, which means shadow-tailed.
• Squirrels have brought down the NASDAQ stock market twice, once in 1987 and once in 1994.