After Super Bowl Sunday, the next big day celebrated in the United States is Groundhog’s Day. Unfortunately, many people do not understand the tradition fully.

Occurring annually on February 2, the tradition began in Pennsylvania. The state’s large German population believed in a Celtic superstition wherein a badger or groundhog determines the weather depending on the shadow it casts. If the rodent does not see its shadow because of cloudiness, winter is predicted to end early. If it does see its shadow, winter will last longer.

In the United States, some areas make a large celebration out of the tradition. The most famous occurs in Pennsylvania where a groundhog is named Punxsutawney Phil. Crowds have been gathering for his annual weather prediction since the late 19th century. A more local celebration occurs in Lilburn, Georgia, where General Beauregard Lee predicts the weather for the Southeastern states.

Junior Alex Pinckney said, “I never know which one is which. Whether or not the shadow is more winter or not.”