Punxsutawney has been holding regular Groundhog Day celebrations since 1886. However, according to MentalFloss, the groundhog didn't earn the name "Phil" until 1961 — possibly as a an homage to ...

How did Groundhog Day start? According to the club, the holiday began as a part of the Christian celebration of Candlemas Day in Europe, which was first observed in A.D. 350.