Punxsutawney Phil predicts another forecast, but who named this groundhog the 'seer of all seers'? Author: Colleen Campbell (KYTX) Updated: 12:10 PM CST February 2, 2021 TYLER, Texas — The origins of Groundhog Day began in western Pennsylvania back in 1887 and although it is celebrated today, the traditions have changed up a bit. Western Pennsylvanian settlers brought with them the traditional Christian holiday feast, Candlemas. This was an event where candles were blessed and distributed to households for dark, winter nights. The date of February second falls about halfway between the Winter Solstice and Vernal Equinox so the hopes of an earlier Spring carried an optimism that the next 6 weeks of Winter wouldn't be so brutal.