Groundhog Day in the United States
February 2 · Level 2 · #1898 of 2238
Groundhog Day makes the wait for spring into a cheerful weather ritual. According to folklore, a groundhog that sees its shadow predicts six more weeks of winter; no shadow means spring will arrive early. The prediction is a tradition, not a scientific forecast.
How it is celebrated: crowds gather before dawn, most famously in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Top-hatted organisers announce Phil the groundhog's verdict to an enthusiastic audience.
The film Groundhog Day brought Punxsutawney worldwide fame, but most of its filming took place in Woodstock, Illinois.