The First Groundhog Day - February 2, 1887
Did you know that the first animal used for the groundhog experiment was a hedgehog? The groundhog was used to determine how many more weeks of winter weather would be. According to Christian History, the roots of Groundhog Day were started. On Candlemas Day, the clergy would determine how many candles were going to be needed. The candles would represent how long and cold the winter was going to be. According to the tradition, if a groundhog came out of its hole during this day, and if it sees its shadow, that means that there would be six more weeks of winter. If the groundhog doesn't see its shadow then spring will come early that year.
Groundhogs are basically woodchucks, and they live for about eight years. They weigh around 12-15 pounds and eat vegetables.
When the Germans came to America, and settled in Pennsylvania, they switched from using a hedgehog to using the groundhog.
For more on this story, go to www.history.com/this-day-in-history
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