How Did Groundhog Day Originate and What Is the Religious Significance of Groundhog Day?

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Karen Hill

February 2 is an ancient Christian holiday celebrating Mary’s purification and is known as Candlemas Day.

Christians believed that if the day dawned sunny, crop planting would have to wait because winter would last six more weeks.

During the 1880s, a few friends in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, went groundhog hunting every Candlemas Day.

They became known as the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, with a mascot named Phil.

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