Rest In Peace to Groundhog Day

As many of you know, Groundhog day is when you watch to see an animal predict if it’s going to miserable outside for another six weeks and see Bill Murray relive the same day over and over.

Groundhog Day originally started in 1887, in Punxsutawney, Philadelphia. It was a superstitious observation that decided if there would be six more weeks of winter, or if it would come to an end shortly after.

Now, thousands of people go to Punxsutawney on February 2nd to watch Phil. If Phil sees his shadow then he will hide away, meaning there will be six more weeks of winter. If he does not see his shadow, then he will stay out, signifying an early spring. This tradition has continued over the years and is a fun event to make the weather prediction.

This year, though, it took a sad turn.

Milltown Mel of Milltown, New Jersey, was announced that he had ‘crossed over the rainbow bridge’ on February 1, the day before Groundhog Day. Obviously a shock to New Jersey, as he was their version of the Punxsutawney Phil.

This celebration happens all over the country, so it was a shock but they quickly worked to find a replacement. With the groundhogs being in hibernation, they had no babies so no replacement. New Jersey went without a Groundhog Day celebration, and encouraged viewers to watch Mel’s “cousin” Punxsutawney Phil’s predictions for the upcoming year.