This weekend marks the annual summer solstice, bringing extended daylight hours and the beginning of summer. Saturday 21 June, the longest day of the year is celebrated worldwide, as in ancient times solstices and equinoxes helped civilisations to understand the seasons and the weather. Although the solstice and midsummer period was usually celebrated by Pagans commemorating the fertility of the season, its associations with life and nature are now celebrated by many cultures and religions.
This year, English Heritage will allow open access to Stonehenge on 20 to 21 June, to mark the occasion. Parking and entry to the monument will be free at certain times, which are on the website. Visitors are advised to travel to the area using public transport.
There are events across the world, including at the Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Celebration, in the US, the Downtown Festival in Alaska's Anchorage, Wianki in Krakow, Poland, and other cities.
In London, UK, the sun will rise at 04.43 and set at 21:21 on the summer solstice, giving us 16 hours and 38 minutes of daylight. In Washington DC, the sunrise will be 05:43 and sunset at 20:37 on 21 June, while in San Francisco, California, it will be 05:48 and at 20:35.
Not really celebrated "worldwide", as for half of the world it was our shortest day. Still, we are happy that the sun will now be heading back to us.
ReplyDeleteStill, your winter is warmer than our summer :) When the longest day reaches you, will you send it back my way again? ;)
DeleteLOL! No worries, will do.
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