Summer Solstice
The longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere also marks the astronomical start of summer.
The longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere also marks the astronomical start of summer.
Origin
Each June, the North Pole reaches its maximum tilt toward the sun in the northern half of the globe. On this day, the sun provides an extended period of daylight, making it the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and the beginning of the hemisphere’s summer season.
When it is observed
The summer solstice takes place annually on June 20 or 21, depending on when the sun reaches its northernmost point from the celestial equator.
Who observes this holiday
The Northern Hemisphere recognizes the summer solstice. For the Southern Hemisphere, this is the shortest day of the year as the sun reaches its lowest point in the sky marking the astronomical start of winter.
Traditions
Many countries celebrate the summer solstice by picking and eating the first strawberries of the season. In Fairbanks, Alaska, daylight lasts a full 24 hours during the summer solstice — the city celebrates the occasion with their famous Midnight Sun Festival, which attracts flocks of visitors each year. Many similar events take place around the globe as different cultures observe the special day.