Groundhog Day is a thing here in America and Canada where designated groundhogs in certain cities "predict" on February 2nd whether spring will arrive early or we'll have several more weeks of winter.

As to how that works, the Library of Congress explained that, after coming out of hibernation, "If the groundhog sees his shadow, the story goes, he will return to hibernation and cold weather will persist another few weeks. If not, warm weather is around the corner."

The two most well-known groundhogs in the United States are Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania and Staten Island Chuck in New York City.

While both have storied histories going back decades, it's "Chuck" whose life story was marred by one of the saddest moments in Groundhog Day history, as Twitter netizens reminded us.

Ten years ago, then-NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) participated in the annual event and was called upon to hold Chuck after the little guy had seen his shadow. As was often the case with anything handled by de Blasio, though, things then went horribly wrong:

But after Mr. de Blasio clutched the groundhog and stood up, Chuck leapt out of the mayoral arms toward the crowd and onto the ground, where he was recovered, uninjured, by his handler.

Chuck, like Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania, had seen his shadow, indicating another six weeks of winter were in store. But the disappointment quickly turned to debate over Chuck’s brief escape and whether Mr. de Blasio had dropped the groundhog or whether Chuck had wiggled out of the mayor’s hands, which were clad in long yellow suede gloves.

The consensus among Big Apple residents, even the few who were fans of de Blasio's at the time, seemed to be that he had dropped Chuck.

READ: De Blasio's Wuhan Virus Snitch Line 'Flooded' With Obscene Pix and Reminders of His Failed Crisis Leadership

Here's the video of the moment it happened. As discerning readers will note, that's a pretty long way to fall for a groundhog:

A decade ago America looked on in horror at an act of unspeakable brutality. pic.twitter.com/ajQRk5sASd

— Luke Thompson (@ltthompso) February 2, 2024

Tragically, Chuck died a few days later. Later that year, however, it was discovered that the Staten Island Zoo had engaged in a cover-up of sorts for de Blasio, as Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.) reminded folks:

On #ThisDayInHistory in 2014, NYC Mayor Bill De Blasio dropped the groundhog, sending it into freefall.

“Staten Island Chuck” died 7 days later of internal injuries.

Chuck's death was concealed by zoo officials in a massive coverup that became known as “Groundhog gate”. pic.twitter.com/ASs2Uny1Oq

— Rep. Mike Collins (@RepMikeCollins) February 2, 2024

The New York Post further explained the cover-up in a short video marking the anniversary, pointing out that not only did the groundhog die due to injuries consistent with a fall but that "Chuck" was actually "Charlotte" the groundhog in a case of gender identity politics run wildly amok:

Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio on Friday made rare comments addressing the tragic day he dropped Staten Island’s beloved groundhog on its head. https://t.co/28rA3YjzBI pic.twitter.com/U3czsW2YNM

— New York Post (@nypost) February 2, 2024

Here's what they noted in a Sept. 2014 piece on the cover-up:

Staten Island Zoo officials went to great lengths to hide the death from the public — and keep secret the fact that “Chuck” was actually “Charlotte,” a female impostor, sources said Wednesday.

The stand-in was found dead in her enclosure at the Staten Island Zoo on Feb. 9 — and a necropsy determined she died from “acute internal injuries,” sources said.

She had fallen nearly 6 feet when the mayor lost his grip during the Groundhog Day photo op. Sources said her injuries were consistent with a fall.

For the record, the spirit of Charlotte Hogg has indicated they will not rest until justice is served against de Blasio:

Today is a national day of mourning.

You may say “Happy Groundhog Day” but I hope you know all we hear is “Remember when @BilldeBlasio murdered a groundhog and then got away with it and he now roams the streets of New York?”

We remember his crime. We remember it all too well. pic.twitter.com/VEfFkoxVIQ

— Bill de Blasio Killed a Groundhog (@CharlotteGHogg) February 2, 2022

For the record, this year's Staten Island Chuck did not see his shadow Friday.  As for de Blasio, I'm pretty sure most NYCers would prefer he remains in his, though rumor has it he may soon try his hand at stand-up comedy - something he accidentally tried and failed at during the COVID pandemic:

This is still one of the craziest/hilarious videos from the pandemic. Bill de Blasio lured people into getting the Covid-19 vaccine with doughnuts and fast food. pic.twitter.com/0XiAJ3bNc6

— Grand Old Patriots🇺🇸 (@GrandOlPatriots) February 1, 2024

Ugh. Don't go away mad, Bill. Just... go away. Please?

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