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1) Groundhog Day’s Catholic Roots . Groundhog Day originates from the feast of Candlemas, celebrated 40 days after Christmas to mark the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. Candlemas includes the blessing of candles, symbolizing Christ as the “Light of the World.” Over time, weather lore tied to Candlemas evolved into the modern Dear Valentine’s Day — eat your heart out. Sincerely, Groundhogs everywhere. Valentine’s Day can brag all it wants about romance, but when it comes down to it, it’s just a holiday that fuels capitalism and money-making schemes disguised as a celebration of love. See how the groundhog became a symbol for predicting seasonal changes in America, rooted in German folklore with a badger — which in turn lead to Groundhog Day. The Catholic Roots of Groundhog Day Every year, the world watches as Punxsutawney Phil proclaims a long winter or a newly-arrived spring. If it’s a sunny day and he sees his shadow, bad luck for us; if he doesn’t see his shadow, spring has come. So it is hard to deny that Groundhog Day is kind of a fun and silly holiday, but NPR's Avery Keatley offers a perspective on why the holiday is unique and important to American culture. The phrase ‘Groundhog Day’, which has come to describe a tedious, repetitive cycle of events, entered the language after the 1993 movie of the same name starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell, in which a TV weatherman gets stuck in the town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania and finds himself in a time loop that makes every day the 2nd of February. The observance of Groundhog Day in the United States first occurred in German communities in Pennsylvania, according to known records. The earliest mention of Groundhog Day is an entry on February 2, 1840, in the diary of James L. Morris of Morgantown, in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, according to the book on the subject by Don Yoder. This was a The first official Groundhog Day celebration took place on February 2, 1887, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. The annual ritual has roots in pre-Christian traditions and was brought to the U.S. PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. -- Here's a look at Groundhog Day, an American tradition that is meant to predict when spring will arrive. Facts. The groundhog emerges from its burrow on February 2. Many people gearing up for Groundhog Day, when eyes are on Punxsutawney Phil to learn if six more weeks of winter or an early spring is on the horizon. While Groundhog Day is Feb. 2, celebrations Perhaps the most famous portrayal of Groundhog Day in popular culture is the 1993 film "Groundhog Day," starring Bill Murray. The film is a comedic exploration of the concept of time loops, with the protagonist reliving the same day repeatedly. The first official Groundhog Day celebration took place on February 2, 1887, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. The town’s newspaper editor, Clymer Freas, along with a group of groundhog enthusiasts, formed the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club and declared that their groundhog, dubbed “Punxsutawney Phil,” would be the nation’s official weather forecaster. The Pennsylvania town of Punxsutawney has held Groundhog Day celebrations since 1887. A groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil is removed from his den and observed by reporters and locals. Some residents claim their groundhog has never been wrong, but statistics show this is untrue. Many other places in the United States and Canada have similar Etymology. day (Middle English (1100-1500)) dæg (Old English (ca. 450-1100)) Groundhog Day is celebrated on February 2 every year as it holds significance among the people of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. It involves a groundhog, "Weather Predictor Extraordinaire" Punxsutawney Phil, using his shadow to predict whether the cold weather will continue for six more weeks or people Valentine's Day Synonyms, Antonyms, and Homonyms Group sort by Rcrull 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade ELA Valentines Day Holidays winter synonyms antonyms homonyms By the early 1910s, an American company that would one day become Hallmark began distributing its more official "Valentine's Day cards." The rest, as they say, is history. Universal Images Group / Getty Images Many holidays do have religious origins. Halloween (All Hallow's Eve, the day before Catholic All Saints Day), St. Valentine's day, etc. And for reference: Celebrating Valentine’s Day is for the birds. Or maybe, it would be better to say that celebrating Valentine’s Day is from the birds.. At least one explanation of why the Feast of St. Valentine is considered a day for love and romance has to do with what the Catholic Encyclopedia called “a conventional belief generally received in England and France during the Middle Ages, that on Feb Valentine’s Day is a holiday celebrated every February 14; this year Valentine's Day falls on a Friday. Across the United States and in other places around the world, candy, flowers and gifts
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