Mexican War Ends With Treaty
1848

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New Amsterdam Incorporated
1653

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Baseball's National League Formed
1876

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Germans Surrender at Stalingrad
1943

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Groundhog Day

According to legend, if Punxsutawney Phil -- a groundhog, or woodchuck, resident in Punxsutawney, PA -- sees his shadow upon emerging from his hole on this day, he will be scared back into it for another six weeks of winter. No shadow means an early spring.

The folks in Punxsutawney carry out this ceremony every year with great fanfare, displaying Phil at his home on Gobbler's Knob near the town, and trying to read Phil's intentions for our weather.

In actuality, groundhogs emerge about this time to mate, and then return to finish out their winter snooze.

Some folks trace this tradition -- which dates to about 1895 in Punxsutawney -- to ancient European Christian beliefs, where the shadow represents one's sins following them. Six more weeks of winter would be punishment for those sins, an early spring a gift to the faithful for atoned and forgiven sins.

Candlemas

Candlemas celebrates the purification of the Virgin Mary, and is celebrated by the Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican churches.