Marmota Monax is also known by another pseudonym in the English-speaking world, namely Groundhog. In Pennsylvania, which has been shaped by German immigrants since the 19th century, Groundhog Day is traditionally celebrated on February 2, a festival in which the ground hog predicts the further course of winter. The custom probably goes back to ancient European peasant rules, possibly also to the Celtic festival Imbolg, also known as G?yl Fair y Canhwyllau. The first North American records of this come from a diary entry by Pennsylvanian shopkeeper James Morris from February 4, 1841:
Last Tuesday, the 2nd, was Candelmas day, the day on which, according to the Germans,the Groundhog peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back for another six weeks nap, but if the day be cloudy he remains out, as the weather is to be moderate.
The citizens of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, have celebrated Groundhog Day every year since at least 1886 with the help of groundhog Phil, who lives in a hole in the ground on a hill called Gobbler's Knob. Phil looks out of his hole at sunrise and if he sees his shadow (because it is sunny), he knows it will be winter for another 6 weeks. However, if he cannot see his shadow (because it is cloudy), it will soon be spring. Phil's predictions are translated by the elite inner circle of the local Groundhog Club and passed on to the public.