Statistically Speaking

The Groundhog Day we know today started with the Germans, Pennsylvania’s earliest settlers. They decided that if the sun appeared on February 2, the groundhog would see its shadow and return to hibernation, leading to six more weeks of winter. Here are some statistics that reveal a little more about this obscure holiday.

Year of the first official celebration of Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, Pa.: 1886

The number of times Punxsutawney Phil has seen his shadow: 96

Punxsutawney Phil’s accuracy in predicting the arrival of spring: 37 percent

Population of Punxsutawney: 6200

Population of Punxsutawney on Groundhog Day: Over 30,000

Domestic gross of 1993’s Groundhog Day: $70.9 million