By ANGELA KHURANA and GRACE ZHANG
Groundhog Day is a well known tradition that is frequently forgotten. Students in elementary schools learn about Groundhog Day, yet it is almost never mentioned in high school.
According to history.com, Groundhog Day emerged from the Christian tradition of Candlemas during which the clergy distributed candles to represent the length of the winter season. Germans changed the candles to an animal, specifically the hedgehog, for weather prediction. When German immigrants moved to Pennsylvania they extended this tradition but changed the hedgehog to a groundhog.
Groundhog Day is held every year on February 2nd. Tradition says that if Phil the groundhog comes out of its hole in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania and witnesses his shadow, there will be 6 more weeks of winter weather. If the groundhog cannot see his shadow, there will be an early spring.
Given the restrictions caused by the pandemic, the event was streamed live this year. Nevertheless, the reaction to the results is the same as it has been in the past. CBS News noted that Pennsylvania’s most famous groundhog emerged and saw its shadow; therefore, there will be 6 more weeks of winter.
Ultimately, however, Groundhog Day is not an accurate indicator of an extended winter or an early spring. In fact, it is commonly accepted that Phil the groundhog has only been right 30-40% of the time, so any of his correct predictions must be attributed to chance.
Upon hearing this year’s results, senior Catherine L. wasn’t surprised because she thought it’s more common for the groundhog to predict an extended winter. She believes the Groundhog Day event is counterintuitive. “It’s illogical, because technically the shadow that the groundhog sees results from the sun. If the groundhog doesn’t see its shadow, that means the sun isn’t out and winter should last longer instead,” she said.
Senior Imama R. believes that weather prediction should be left to scientific professionals.
Senior Imama R. was also not amazed by the results. She said, “In my opinion, Groundhog Day is an impractical holiday.” She added, “I mean, we have meteorologists and satellites to predict our weather.”
While there may be different opinions regarding this wacky holiday, Groundhog Day is nonetheless an amusing event that is celebrated as popular culture among Americans today.