PUNXSUTAWNEY – By now, you probably know the Punxsutawney Phil predicted an early spring when he did not see his shadow at Gobbler’s Knob on Friday. The last time Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow was in 1999. But, did you know these other facts about Phil?
— During Prohibition, Phil threatened to impose 60 weeks of winter on the community if he wasn’t permitted a drink.
— In 1958, Phil announced that it was a “United States Chucknik,” rather than a Soviet Sputnik or Muttnik that became the first man-made satellite to orbit Earth.
— In 1981, Phil wore a yellow ribbon in honor of the American hostages in Iran.
— Phil traveled to Washington, D.C., in 1986 to meet with President Ronald Reagan.
— In 1993, Columbia Pictures released the movie “Groundhog Day” starring Bill Murray. In the years following the release of the movie, record crowds numbering as high as 30,000 have visited Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney
— Phil appeared on “Oprah” in 1995.
— Gov. Ed Rendell attended the ceremonies in 2003, making him the first sitting governor ever to do so.
GantDaily Editor’s Note: Facts provided by VisitPA.com.
