On February 2nd each year, America gathers around Pennsylvania to celebrate Groundhog Day. Punxsutawney Phil, the famous groundhog himself, was the center attention in the annual ceremony after pulling him away from his resident tree stump to figure out if he has seen his shadow. As the people waited impatiently on the edge of their seats, it was finally announced that he had, in fact, seen his shadow, meaning there’d be 6 more weeks of the winter season.

Groundhog Day originally began in 1887. Christian German immigrants brought the tradition of Candlemas to the lovely state of Pennsylvania. They believed that if their Candlemas was sunny, then there’d be 40 more days of winter and snow. However, they figured it could only be decided sunny if an animal, the groundhog, saw its shadow. And so, Groundhog Day was born, taking place in Punxsutawney every February 2nd.

Surprisingly, there’s been controversy surrounding the holiday’s ruling as Staten Island’s version of Groundhog Day, the Staten Island Chuck, predicted an early spring. This led to questions of the authenticity of the holiday itself and debates between the two animal’s celebrators. Groundhog Day expert, and member of the Punxsutawney inner circle, Harry Philliber, stated strongly, “The groundhog is above science, and we expect impostors to try to get in the act. There’s only one Punxsutawney Phil and he’s the only true prognosticator of the weather.” It’s also fair to mention that Groundhog Day was created first, whereas the Staten Island Chuck came about in 1981.

Whether you’re a Groundhog fan, Chuck fan, or believe in neither, we can all appreciate the wholesome holiday as we come into the new year and leave the winter season together.