Today is February 2nd, 2012. In the United States of America and Canada, the second day of February is called Groundhog Day. It marks six weeks until the end of winter in the Northern Hemisphere.*
According to legend, if a groundhog sees his shadow on the morning of February 2nd, then the winter weather will continue for six more weeks; if not, spring may arrive early. Groundhog Day festivals are celebrated in Pennsylvania in the USA and Ontario in Canada featuring Punxsutawney Phil and Wiarton Willie as the most famous groundhogs. Scientist Neil degrasse Tyson quipped* that today is "evidence that Weather Forecasters still haven't convinced people that they know what they're talking about."
Does your region or culture feature similar legends?? What do you think of Groundhog Day? Share your thoughts with us!
Vocabulary terms:
hemisphere: a term used for one of the planet's halves. There are northern, southern, eastern and western hemispheres.
groundhog: a large rodent related to ground squirrels such as the beaver.
quip: to make a witty, clever or joking remark
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