Opinion
Legendary groundhog sees no shadow
February 3, 2011
Although this is a few days late, it is in my interest to inform you about Groundhog Day. Not only the history of the event but also the outcome of the 125th annual Groundhog Day. Phil the groundhog was taken out just after dawn in rural Punxsutawney, Pa. The test of bringing the animal out from the ground is to find its own shadow. The objective of the day is that if Phil sees his shadow, there are 6 more weeks of winter. If Phil has no shadow to see, spring is forecasted to come early. On Feb. 2 the legendary rodent had not seen his shadow; therefore spring will come early.
The history behind Groundhog Day is quite interesting. It comes from the roots of a German legend. Since 1887, the groundhog has been emerging from hibernation on the second of February and forecasting the spring season. Over the 125 years that the celebration has been around, Phil has seen his shadow a total of 98 times. This leaves only 16 times that the groundhog has predicted an early spring. Incredibly through the years, the animal has never failed to determine the coming of spring.
Cassie Swenson is a student at UW-River Falls.