Groundhog Day has roots in pagan traditions from Europe
by editors@theworld.org (Gerry Hadden) from The World: Latest Stories on (#6V18S)
Watching a groundhog emerge from a cozy burrow in early February feels quintessentially American, but the tradition of turning to animals to predict the spring comes from pre-Christian pagan traditions in Europe, from Ireland to Germany. And the ritual is more varied than simple rodent-watching. The World's Gerry Hadden reports from Barcelona.