While today may not seem like a significant day in the UK, for folks in a small town in Pennsylvania it is huge – for February 2 is the time to celebrate Groundhog Day.
Yup, the actual day isn’t just the subject of a classic Bill Murray movie, it actually exists – and is seen as giving those townsfolk the biggest clue as to whether they can expect an early spring or six more weeks of winter.
But just what is the day all about and where can you watch the movie in the UK?
Here’s what you need to know…
What is Groundhog Day?
Groundhog Day is observed every year on February 2, having originated in the town of Punxsatawney, Pennsylvania.
The day derives from an old Germanic tale that each year a groundhog will poke its head up out of its den around this time.
If it sees his shadow (denoting that it’s a clear day out), the winter will carry on for six more weeks.
If, however, it sees a cloudy day, it means we’re getting an early spring.
Although the day is celebrated across North America – with the date having been chosen as it’s the midpoint of winter – the first observance was in Punxsatawney, and this is still where the largest celebrations take place to this day (and where the film is set).
What happens on Groundhog Day?
The day revolves around a ceremony which is held at day break at a place in Punxsatawney called Gobbler’s Knob (yes, really).
The groundhog is known as Punxsatawney Phil, and he is looked after throughout the year by a select group called the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club Inner Circle, who also plan the annual ceremony.
Phil is helped to the top of the stump and tells the president of the Inner Circle – in a language known as ‘groundhogese’, his verdict on what he’s seen.
The President of the Inner Circle, the only person allegedly able to understand groundhogese, then translates Phil’s message, and the Voice President reads the verdict out to the crowds, and the thousands who watch the live broadcast on TV.
Punxsutawney Phil is due to fulfill his annual task at about 7.25am Eastern Time (12.25pm in the UK).
According to lore there has only ever been one Phil – who has been alive ever since the first ceremony back in 1886.
You might not want to take his prediction too seriously, as historically his success rate at predicting the weather is only around 39%, according to the Stormfax Almanac.
How to watch Groundhog Day in the UK
The 1993 classic film, named after and centered around Groundhog Day is available to watch on various streaming platforms across the UK.
It is available on NowTV with a cinema membership, which costs £9.99 a months and comes with a free trial.
You can also purchase it on Amazon Prime video, Apple TV, Google Play store and Youtube for an average of £3.50.
Sky customers will also be pleased to know that the film is playing on repeat all day on Sky Cinema (I know, hilarious).
In the film, Bill Murray plays Phil, a self-centred weatherman who goes to Punxsutawney on Groundhog Day for an assignment.
When he wakes up the next morning, he realises he is reliving the same day over and over again.
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