In this episode, Hailee explains the quirky and beloved tradition of Groundhog Day in America, from origins in ancient beliefs to a quaint local observance to a nationally recognized phenomenon. We will also explore a few other quirky American traditions, including the Presidential turkey pardon and a unique form of communication in the rural south.  All books shared in this episode can be purchased at our <a href='https://bookshop.org/shop/thereferencedeskpod'>Bookshop!</a> Staff picks:<ul><li>Big by Vashti Harrison</li><li>There Was a Party for Langston by Jason Reynolds, illustrated by Jerome and Jeremy Pumphries</li></ul>Recommended readingNon-Fiction <ul><li>Weird U.S.: Your Travel Guide to America's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets by Mark Moran and Mark Sceurman</li></ul>Fiction<ul><li>Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds</li><li>The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton</li><li>Neverworld Wake by Marisha Pessl</li></ul>Sources:<ul><li><a href='https://www.history.com/news/groundhog-was-once-on-punxsutawneys-menu'>Groundhog Was Once on Punxsutawney’s Menu</a></li><li><a href='https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/572308/why-punxsutawney-groundhog-called-phil'>The Curious (and Possibly Murderous) Origins of Punxsutawney Phil's Name</a></li><li><a href='https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/01/us/groundhog-day-weird-history-punxsutawney-phil-cec/index.html'>The bizarre history of Groundhog Day</a></li><li><a href='https://time.com/4650202/groundhog-day-history-2/'>The Surprising History Behind Groundhog Day</a></li><li><a href='https://www.whitehousehistory.org/pardoning-the-thanksgiving-turkey'>Pardoning the Thanksgiving Turkey</a></li><li><a href='https://www.ibiblio.org/hollerin/history.htm'>Hollerin’ History</a></li><li><a href='https://www.ibiblio.org/hollerin/hollerin.htm'>“The Lost Art of Hollerin’”</a></li><li><a href='https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/how-to-win-a-hollerin-contest'>The Rise and Fall of North Carolina’s National Hollerin’ Contest</a></li></ul> <a rel="payment" href="https://www.patreon.com/thereferencedesk">Support the show</a>

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