Groundhog Day in Canada

Many Canadians take the time to observe Groundhog Day on February 2 each year, which is also Candlemas. Groundhog Day in Canada focuses on the concept of a groundhog coming out of its home in mid-winter to “predict” if spring is on its way in the northern hemisphere.

 

Quick Facts

Groundhog Day is celebrated in Canada on February 2 each year.

Name

Groundhog Day

Alternative name

Feast of Presentation of the Lord

Groundhog Day 2013

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Groundhog Day 2014

Sunday, February 2, 2014

The groundhog attracts media attention on Groundhog Day in Canada. ©iStockphoto.com/David P. Lewis

What do people do?

2011 Update:

Ontario's Wiarton Wille and Nova Scotia's Shubenacadie Sam did not see their shadows in 2011. It is predicted to be an early spring.

Many Canadians celebrate Groundhog Day by attending festivals, engaging in activities and reading or listening to news about groundhog appearances on February 2. Some Christian churches celebrate Candlemas on this day. Other people mark Groundhog Day as the date to take down their Christmas decorations.

Groundhog Day has attracted media attention over the years and its popularity continues to grow in Canada.  A festival is held in the town of Wiarton in Bruce County, Ontario, to honor Groundhog Day. The town has its own groundhog, Wiarton Willie, which it shares with the nation. Locals, fans and news reporters come out to “hear Willie’s prediction” early in the morning on February 2 each year. Other events at the festival include dances, contests, parades and pancake breakfasts.

Public life

Groundhog Day is not a public holiday in Canada. However areas around parks and some streets may be busy or congested in towns, such as Wiarton, where Groundhog Day events are popular.

Background

Thousands of years ago when animalism and nature worship were prevalent, people in the area of Europe now known as Germany believed that the badger had the power to predict the coming of spring. They watched the badger to know when to plant their crops.

This tradition was brought over to North America, predominantly in Pennsylvania in the United States, where it was the groundhog, not the badger, which makes these “predictions”. According to folklore, if the groundhog will sees its shadow on February 2 it will return to its burrow, indicating that there will be six more weeks of winter. If it does not see its shadow, then spring is on the way.

The Groundhog Day concept became popular in Canada in 1956 when Wiarton Willie became a household name for his early February “weather predictions”. Wiarton’s Groundhog Day festival grew as Willie’s fame increased. It became one of the largest winter festivals in Bruce County, Canada.

There are also other groundhogs in different parts of Canada. For example, Schubenacadie Sam is reportedly the first groundhog in the country to stick its head out on Groundhog Day. Other groundhogs include: Gary the Groundhog in Ontario, Brandon Bob in Manitoba and Balzac Billy in Alberta.

Symbols

The groundhog, also known as the woodchuck or marmot, is believed to make weather predictions relating to winter and spring according to superstition. Canada’s groundhog Wiarton Willie was popular enough to have its own statue in Wiarton, Ontario.

Movies, advertisements, cartoons and other media have portrayed the legendary role of the groundhog in popular culture. The term “Groundhog Day” is a phrase that is sometimes used to express if the same events or actions occur repetitively for a period of time.

Note: Please note that references to seasonal changes in this article relate to seasons in the northern hemisphere.

About Groundhog Day in other countries

Read more about Groundhog Day.

Kashmir Solidarity Day 5th February

Kashmir Solidarity Day has been celebrated on 5 February each year since 1990 as a day of protest against Indian control of part of Kashmir. It is a national holiday in Pakistan. The core issue of Kashmir, between India and Pakistan, has led Pakistan to face three wars and have devoted a major portion of their national incomes to defense budgets. World leaders have stressed the need to resolve the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan to avoid an eventuality that may cause a catastrophe in the region. Kashmir is the nuclear flash point of Asia, surrounded by three nuclear powers.

It is incumbent on the international community in general and governing world bodies in particular to intervene and force India to stop shedding innocent Kashmiri blood. Kashmiris should have the right to decide their fate according to the UN resolutions, which were adopted to resolve the issue. Without any doubt, Kashmir is jugular vein of Pakistan and it cannot evidently abandon it under any conditions. With both the South Asian neighbours armed with nuclear weapons, another conventional war on Kashmir has the potential to turn into a nuclear exchange that could be disastrous not only for South Asia but for the world at large.

Kashmir Day in Pakistan

Kashmir Day in Pakistan

 

Kashmir Day or Kashmir Solidarity Day is a public holiday in Pakistan on February 5 each year.

It is a day dedicated to show Pakistan’s support and unity with the people of Indian-occupied Kashmir, their ongoing freedom struggle, and to pay homage to Kashmiri martyrs who lost their lives fighting for Kashmir’s freedom.

Kashmir Solidarity Day is dedicated to supporting the people of Kashmir and recognizing the freedom struggles in part of the region (view of landscape in Kashmir pictured above). ©iStockphoto.com/photopalace

What Do People Do?

Kashmir Day is observed by people throughout Pakistan and Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK). It is an internationally recognized day observed by people, predominantly Kashmiris, worldwide. The day is marked by public processions, special prayers in mosques for the liberation of Kashmir and protests that are carried out against the Indian oppression of Kashmir.

Kashmir Day is also of particular political importance to major political and religious parties in both Pakistan and AJK. Processions, rallies, conferences and seminars are organized by many political and religious parties where politicians, heads of religious organizations, opinion leaders, and influential public figures address the masses and speak to support the Kashmiri freedom movement. These leaders and spokespeople also advocate a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue. Long marches, and rallies sponsored by political organizations, religious parties and other organizations are held, in which people chant slogans to support the Kashmiri freedom struggle and to express solidarity with the Kashmiri people.

Another common spectacle is the formation of a human chain on all major routes leading to AJK from Pakistan. People stand in rows with their hands clasped forming a human chain on all major crossings into AJK from Pakistan. This symbolizes unity and solidarity to reassure Kashmiris that they are not alone in their struggle for freedom.

Special cultural programs and festivals are also held to promote Kashmiri culture and tradition.  News and entertainment channels air special programs, talk shows, dramas and Kashmiri songs about the oppression and brutalities suffered by Kashmiris over the years. Educational institutions organize debate competitions and dialogue forums where students express their views and ideas for resolving Kashmiri-related issues.

Public Life

Kashmir Day is a public holiday in Pakistan and AJK. Government offices (federal and provincial), banks, educational institutions and businesses remain closed. However, some multinational companies continue normal business activities on this day.

Public transport is available throughout the day, but traffic congestion is common in major cities. Major roads and streets remain blocked because of Kashmir Day parades and processions.

Background

There is a part of Kashmir called Azad Jammu Kashmir (Azad means “Liberated” in Urdu). Many Indians call it Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. Officially Pakistan recognizes AJK as a separate state, having its own parliament, head of state and governing institutions.

Kashmir Day was first observed in 1990 on call of Nawaz Sharif, who was the opposition leader and chief minister of Punjab at the time. Sharif appealed for a nationwide strike to protest against the Indian occupation of Kashmir and called for people to pray for the Kashmiri freedom movement’s success. The Pakistan People’s Party then declared February 5 as a public holiday and Kashmir Day has since been observed every year.

Symbols

The Kashmir valley is metaphorically referred to as “heaven on earth”. The valley is shown in modern art as being engulfed by flames, depicting unrest, uproar and peril in heaven. The valley is also shown to be surrounded by a barbed wire drenched in blood. This illustrates human rights violations in Kashmir.

Note: The information in this article is from reliable sources, including from government and news sources. However, timeanddate.com does not take political views on the history behind the events mentioned in this article.

Kashmir Day Observances

Youm-e-Yakjehti-e-Kashmir

Protest against Indian administration of Jammu and Kashmir.

Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras 2013 Date

When:19th January - 12th February 2013
Where: New Orleans, USA

Mardi Gras is an incredible and almost indescribable celebration in New Orleans, USA. If you had to try though, you would call it One Big Party! It is absolutely unique and comes complete with parades, floats, picnics, music, dancing, costumes, beads, artists, amazing food and an all-round party atmosphere. Creative costumes, mini-parades, organised and impromptu entertainment, walking clubs, laughter, and street theater and much, much more is everywhere, especially on the Canal Street. Everybody dresses in purple, green and gold (the official colours of Mardi Gras), and you will bump into innumerable street musicians and artists as you walk around the city. All offices are closed on this holiday, since most roads are blocked anyway. There is an infectious air of excitement - be sure to catch this virus, because everybody there will be in high spirits!

Mardi Gras 2013 celebration

The Parades start about two weeks before the day of Mardi Gras. There are several types of parades; some are rolled out by traditional Krewes who have tableau balls, and an elected king and queen. These Krewes go back to the 1800's and have helped establish Mardi Gras traditions in New Orleans. The Krewe of Rex presents the oldest parade, which dates back to 1872. The King of Rex is the official King of Carnival.

This year, parades will start on January 19th. However, bear in mind that all parade activities will pause from January 28th – February 5th, due to the Super Bowl XLVII. Parade activity will resume as normal from February 6th – 12th.

Things to do at Mardi Gras

If you travelling with children, and want to enjoy outdoor picnics and watch the self-proclaimed ‘Greatest Free Show on Earth’, this is the place to be! While waiting for the parades, you can watch marching bands, listen to the music in the air, and catch toys, doubloons and beads that are being ‘thrown’!

You can sit down on your chair or right on the ground while revellers around you throw frisbees and walk their dogs. Watch for the approaching parades, grab some cotton candy and see if you can catch doubloons from the many celebrities that tend to make an appearance here!

When to arrive

Remember to not confuse Mardi Gras with Carnival! Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday and marks the final day of excitement before Ash Wednesday, which is when Lent begins. This year, Mardi Gras falls on February 12th - the date of Mardi Gras changes every year because it is connected to Easter, which falls on any Sunday between March 23 - April 25. Mardi Gras is scheduled to be 47 days before Easter.

The weekend before Fat Tuesday is the prime time to visit. This is when two of the biggest parades of the season, Bacchus and Endymion, cruise down the streets.

Don’t forget to look for great package deals on hotels that offer you a balcony view of the parades!

Trivia

The first Mardi Gras parade was held in New Orleans on February 24, 1857 by the Krewe of Comus. They began the tradition of presenting a parade with floats and following it with a ball for the Krewe and their guests.

Most krewes are named after figures from Greek, Roman, and Egyptian mythology; some are named after the neighborhood where they parade.

Each parade krewe decides upon its own theme each year, which can be kept secret until the parade.

Rex, the King of Carnival, selected the Mardi Gras colors and gave them meaning in 1892. Purple stands for justice, green for faith, and gold for power.

The tradition of float riders throwing trinkets to the crowds began in the 1870s. Typical ‘throws’ include beads, cups, doubloons, and stuffed animals.

Rio Carnival 2013

Mardi Gras at Rio: The Greatest Street Show in the World

When: 9th - 12th February, 2013
Where: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Let me take you to the Mardi Gras... there's romance and adventure there,
music and laughter everywhere You don't want to miss the Mardi Gras...
its an endless game, a grand charade, melody makers on parade
Won't you come to the Mardi Gras?
You'll love the Mardi Gras!
- Paul Simon

Swing to the samba, rock to the rhumba and move to the merengue. Hot and spicy like the best salsa, the Rio Carnaval explodes in spontaneous combustion as enthusiastic dancers, bandas and blocos, bare chested men and bare bellied women frolic and cavort with wild abandon, unrestrained passion and infectious joie de vivre.

The Rio Carnival gives a kaleidoscopic view of the culture of Brazil at its zenith. People indulge in singing, dancing, and feasting, but the most involved in the Rio Carnival are the poorest localities (favelas) that join the festivities despite their deprived situation, and make the Carnival come alive in its true sense!

The events of the Rio Festival include Carnival Balls, Samba School Nights, Street Bands, Street Parties, parades, and a lot more. The festival concludes with the Rio Carnival Parade, or the Samba Parade. Everyone comes together as a whole to have fun. Billed as the greatest 'Free Show' anywhere, the Mardi Gras at Rio is one long party.

More information on where to stay and what to do at Rio Carnival 2013

Khajuraho Dance Festival

When: 20th - 26th February, 2013
Where: Khajuraho, India

Where the hand goes, there the eyes should follow
Where the eyes are, the mind should follow
Where the mind is, there the expression should be brought out
Where the expression is, there the rasa or flavour will be experienced by the audience.
- Lines from the Natyakram

Classical Indian dance returns to its roots - to the temples where it was conceptualised, defined and immortalised in stone. The exquisite 1000 year-old temples of Khajuraho serve as the idyllic backdrop to an art genre with an equally impressive pedigree.

As dusk gives way to the nights darkness, lamps bathe the temples in a surreal golden glow creating the perfect ambience for the past to juxtapose with the present. The mellifluous strains of the flute and the tanpura set the mood; the mridangam and the tabla beat out the rhythms echoed by the ghungroo of the dancer and time stops. Sculpted dancer come to life? Nimble footwork arrested in mid step? A dancer captured in stone or just a moment out of time?

Find out for yourself. Travel to the plains of Central India, to the temple town of Khajuraho. The weeklong Khajuraho Dance Festival features the finest young talents of Indian classical dance and presents a rare opportunity to see the maestros and grand dames of Indian dance perform.

Khajuraho Travel Guide