<P> The observance of Groundhog Day in the United States first occurred in German communities in Pennsylvania, according to known records . </P> <P> The earliest mention of Groundhog Day is a February 2, 1840 entry in the diary of James L. Morris of Morgantown, Pennsylvania, in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, according to the book on the subject by Don Yoder . This was a Welsh enclave but the diarist was commenting on his neighbors who were of German stock . </P> <P> The first reported news of a Groundhog Day observance was arguably made by the Punxsutawney Spirit newspaper of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania in 1886: "up to the time of going to press, the beast has not seen its shadow". However, it was not until the following year in 1887 that the first Groundhog Day considered "official" was commemorated here, with a group making a trip to the Gobbler's Knob part of town to consult the groundhog . People have gathered annually at the spot for the event ever since . </P> <P> Clymer Freas (1867--1942) who was city editor at the Punxsutawney Spirit is credited as the "father" who conceived the idea of "Groundhog Day". It has also been suggested that Punxsutawney was where all the Groundhog Day events originated, from where it spread to other parts of the United States and Canada . </P>

How do they determine if the groundhog saw his shadow