Happy Groundhog Day

February 2 is Groundhog Day, a celebration that has its roots in Celtic traditions. Legend maintains that if the groundhog (a large, furry, woodland creature) sees his shadow on the morning of February 2nd, there will be six more weeks of winter. If he does not see his shadow, the beginning of spring is imminent.

Since 1886, the foremost Groundhog Day celebration has been in Puxatawney, Pennsylvania, a small town northeast of Pittsburgh. There, the mayor consults with Puxatawney Phil (the groundhog) on Cobbler’s Knob for his prediction.

If you can’t make it to Pennsylvania this year, you can watch the proceeding in this live web cam. The ceremony lasts from 530am to 830am.

^{(photo credit: Aaron Silver/cc license)}