Marmot Day2026 · Date · History · Messages
Alaska legislation establishes 2 February of each year as Marmot Day and provides for suitable observance; Alaska State Archives also lists the day among state-designated dates.
About Marmot Day
Marmot Day is an Alaska state-designated observance on February 2 each year.
Alaska enacted SB 58 in 2009, adding AS 44.12.110 and allowing suitable observances by school programs, the Alaska Zoo, civic groups and the public.
Why Marmot Day matters
The observance highlights marmots and Alaska rather than creating a statutory weather-prediction ritual.
It shares the February 2 date with Groundhog Day, but Alaska’s law establishes a distinct Marmot Day identity and does not make claims that marmot behavior scientifically predicts seasonal weather.
History of Marmot Day
Alaska Senate Bill 58 was introduced in the 26th Legislature to establish February 2 of each year as Marmot Day.
The bill passed the Legislature, was signed into law on July 9, 2009 as Chapter 57, SLA 2009, and became effective July 10, 2009.
The enacted provision, AS 44.12.110, says Marmot Day is established on February 2 and may be observed through suitable programs and exercises by schools, the Alaska Zoo, civic groups and the public.
The legislation establishes an Alaska observance; it does not create a U.S.-wide holiday or a mandatory day off.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Alaska Senator Linda Menard, sponsor of SB 58
The Alaska Legislature bill history lists Senator Menard as sponsor of SB 58.
State of Alaska through the Alaska Legislature and gubernatorial enactment
SB 58 / Chapter 57, SLA 2009, codified as AS 44.12.110
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
5 fields not established in reviewed sources
How to Observe Marmot Day
Learn about Alaska’s marmot species through reputable wildlife, park or educational resources.
Choose observation from a safe distance and do not feed, capture, handle or deliberately disturb wild marmots.
Support habitat education or a wildlife organization using non-contact, welfare-first activities.
For a school activity, compare the Alaska statute with the folklore of Groundhog Day while separating cultural tradition from scientific weather forecasting.
Follow land-manager rules and local wildlife guidance when viewing animals outdoors.
Marmot Day Facts
Marmot Day is February 2 each year in Alaska.
Alaska’s SB 58 became Chapter 57, SLA 2009 and took effect July 10, 2009.
AS 44.12.110 permits suitable Marmot Day observances involving schools, the Alaska Zoo, civic groups and the public.
Marmot Day is distinct from Groundhog Day even though both use the February 2 date.
The statute does not establish a scientific weather-forecasting role for marmots or a nationwide public holiday.
Marmot Day Messages
Happy Marmot Day to everyone learning about Alaska’s remarkable wildlife today.
Wishing Alaskans and wildlife fans a curious, respectful Marmot Day.
Celebrate Marmot Day with good wildlife knowledge, safe viewing and plenty of respect for habitat.
Happy February 2—may Marmot Day inspire a little more interest in Alaska’s animals and ecosystems.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
Alaska Legislature — SB 58 bill history (opens in a new tab)
State Government
Alaska Legislature — SB 58 text / AS 44.12.110 (opens in a new tab)
State Government
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is Marmot Day?
2 February annually in Alaska The documented recurrence rule is: 2 February.
Does Marmot Day fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is Marmot Day an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: Alaska state-designated observance. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes Marmot Day?
The reviewed sources identify State of Alaska through the Alaska Legislature and gubernatorial enactment as the proclaiming or establishing body. The proposer or originator is recorded separately as Alaska Senator Linda Menard, sponsor of SB 58.
Is Marmot Day international or country-specific?
No single country is assigned to this observance. Its documented scope is: Alaska state-designated observance. Use that scope rather than assuming worldwide or country-specific status.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-23.
When is Marmot Day in Alaska?
It is February 2 each year.
Is Marmot Day established by Alaska law?
Yes. SB 58 became Chapter 57, SLA 2009 and added AS 44.12.110 establishing February 2 as Marmot Day.
When did the law take effect?
The Alaska Legislature’s history says it was signed July 9, 2009 and effective July 10, 2009.
Is Marmot Day the same as Groundhog Day?
No. They share February 2, but Alaska law establishes a distinct Marmot Day observance.
Do marmots predict the weather on Marmot Day?
The Alaska statute does not establish a scientific weather-prediction role. Wildlife activities should be educational and non-contact.
Other observances on February 2
These observances are also listed on February 2, 2027.
Groundhog Day
National Weather Service and NOAA sources establish February 2, European/Candlemas roots, early U.S. documentation and the Punxsutawney tradition while treating shadow predictions as folklo…
National Brown Dog Day
National Day Archives attributes National Brown Dog Day to Debra Loveless Williams, created in January 2021, and lists February 2 annually; independent observance coverage corroborates the…
Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day
The Arthritis Foundation’s awareness calendar lists Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day on February 2.
Solemnity / liturgical feast of Our Lady of Candelaria
Candelaria City Council documents the February 2 solemnity separately from the August 15 celebration and traces the local February observance to the first Fiesta de las Candelas on 2 Februa…
World Wetlands Day
A/RES/75/317