Since 1886, when the tradition began, Groundhog Day has been held on Feb. 2 every year. But it wasn’t always about a groundhog coming out of the ground to assess his shadow. The tradition came from a Christian religious holiday called Candlemas Day, according to The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club website.

The day eventually evolved into what we know it today. In 1886, Groundhog Day was acknowledged for the first time in Punxsutawney by a local newspaper, Weathers Wags, according to the club. In 1887, the first official pilgrimage to see Phil on Gobbler’s Knob while he made his predictions were made.

Punxsutawney Phil, the most famous groundhog prognosticator, saw his shadow, thus predicting six more weeks of winter weather. Boooo, say those of us already sick of the cold. But there are some questions about Phil's accuracy.

Punxsutawney Phil caught sight of his shadow yesterday morning. Meaning six more weeks of winter this year. Phil has predicted a longer winter far more often than an early spring. But he is not the most accurate groundhog and is right less than half the time.