A Groundhog Day Story

To celebrate the 130th anniversary of Groundhog Day, Animal Planet reveals the history and legend of the American tradition -- on Feb. 2, groundhog Punxsutawney Phil emerges from his burrow, and if he sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter; if not, spring will arrive early. The program details the holiday's impact on Punxsutawney, Pa., and looks into the spirited group of volunteers called The Inner Circle, who protect Phil throughout the year and plan the town's annual celebration. It also shares the storied history and steady growth in the popularity of Groundhog Day -- from the first official event, documented in local newspapers, to the arrival of television broadcasts, and ultimately the 1993 film starring Bill Murray that cemented Groundhog Day as a cultural phenomenon.