1951

 
The groundhog Punxsutawney Phil in 2012

According to folklore, if it is cloudy when a groundhog emerges from its
burrow on this day, then spring will come early; if it is sunny, it will then
see its shadow and retreat back into its burrow, and the winter weather
will continue for six more weeks.

An early reference to Groundhog Day in America can be found in a diary
entry, dated February 4, 1841, of James Morris, a storekeeper in Berks
County, Pennsylvania.

The largest Groundhog Day celebration is held in Punxsutawney, Pa
where crowds as large as 40,000 have gathered to celebrate the
holiday since at least 1886.

Dick Clark hosting a early 1970s edition of his New Year’s celebration
from New York’s Times Square.

Ryan Seacrest with Dick Clark

As Its host, creator, and namesake. Dick Clark, hosted coverage of New Year’s
Eve celebrations in Times Square for ABC’s annually from 1974 to 2004, when
complications of a stroke less than a month prior prevented him from participating
in the 2005 edition and limited participation until his death on April 18, 2012. Ryan Seacrest is now the sole host of the Rockin’ New Year’s Eve special. The 2012 to
2013 edition this evening will include a special tribute to Clark.

December 28, 2012

                    Dick Clark (November 30, 1929 – April 18, 2012)