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Get ready to celebrate the longest day of the year on June 21 with International Day of the Celebration of the Solstice! This ancient holiday has been observed by various cultures around the world for thousands of years, marking the transition from spring to summer in the Northern Hemisphere and from autumn to winter in the Southern Hemisphere. It's a day filled with festivities, rituals, and traditions that honor nature and its cycles. So let's join in on this global celebration and bask in the warm glow of the sun on this special day.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>3000 BC</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Stonehenge Construction</div><div class='timeline-text'>Stonehenge, aligned with the directions of sunrise and sunset at the solstices, was constructed by ancient civilizations in Britain to mark these significant moments.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>41 BC</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Egyptian Solstice Celebration</div><div class='timeline-text'>In ancient Egypt, the helical rising of the star Sirius coinciding with the summer solstice was marked with a festival celebrating the New Year and the inundation of the Nile.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>500s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Druidic Solstice Observances</div><div class='timeline-text'>Celtic Druids were known to observe the solstices, marking midsummer with gatherings at sacred sites such as Stonehenge and other megalithic monuments.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1582</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Gregorian Calendar Adoption</div><div class='timeline-text'>The adoption of the Gregorian calendar provided more accurate measurement for the solstices, falling around June 21 and December 21.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1980s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Modern Solstice Celebrations</div><div class='timeline-text'>In the modern era, revival and reinterpretation of ancient solstice traditions have become popular worldwide, including bonfires, feasts, music, and dancing.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2019</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>UN Recognition</div><div class='timeline-text'>The United Nations recognizes June 21 as International Day of Yoga, highlighting the significance of the summer solstice in yoga tradition.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a solstice festival</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Find a local festival or event celebrating the solstice and attend it with friends or family. Enjoy music, food, and other cultural activities while embracing the spirit of the holiday.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Make a bonfire</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather some wood and start a bonfire in your backyard to celebrate the longest day of the year. Roast marshmallows, tell stories, and enjoy the warmth of the fire with loved ones.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Take a sunrise/sunset hike</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Set your alarm early or stay out late to witness the beautiful sunrise or sunset on the day of the solstice. Take a hike to a scenic spot and appreciate the natural beauty of the changing seasons.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create a summer solstice feast</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather your friends and family for a delicious feast filled with seasonal fruits and vegetables to celebrate the start of summer. Share recipes and enjoy good company while indulging in a tasty meal.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a solstice party</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Throw a solstice-themed party, complete with decorations, games, and activities. Encourage guests to wear flowy, summery clothes and dance the night away under the stars.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It celebrates the change of seasons</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The solstice marks the longest or shortest day of the year, depending on which hemisphere you live in. It's a time to recognize and celebrate the changing seasons and the natural rhythms of the Earth.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It has historical and cultural significance</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The solstice has been celebrated by various cultures throughout history, often with rituals, festivals, and gatherings. International Day of Celebration of the Solstice is an opportunity to learn about and appreciate these diverse traditions.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It promotes connection with nature</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>By recognizing and celebrating the solstice, we are reminded of our connection to the Earth and its cycles. This day encourages people to spend time outdoors and appreciate the beauty and importance of nature in our lives.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The term solstice comes from two Latin words</h3><p class='facts-content'>The word "solstice" is derived from the Latin words "sol" meaning "sun," and "sistere" meaning "to stand still." This refers to the movement of the sun which seems to pause in the sky at this time.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Stonehenge is not the only ancient monument associated with the solstice</h3><p class='facts-content'>Numerous ancient structures worldwide, such as the Egyptian Pyramids and the Temple of Karnak, are oriented to face the rising sun at the solstice.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Summer and Winter Solstice are observed differently across cultures</h3><p class='facts-content'>In the Northern Hemisphere, the summer solstice is usually celebrated with joy as the longest day of the year, while in Scandinavian countries, where winter can be particularly brutal, the winter solstice is a major cause for celebration.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Solstices influence the timing of some religious observances</h3><p class='facts-content'>The Christian holidays of Christmas and St John’s Day, and the Pagan celebration of Yule, are just a few examples of religious observances that are held around the time of the solstices.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Different parts of the world experience the solstice at different times</h3><p class='facts-content'>While most people think of the solstice as an entire day, the precise moment of the solstice actually occurs at a specific time when the sun is exactly overhead at noon along the Tropic of Cancer or the Tropic of Capricorn. This means it's not only celebrated on different dates but also at different times depending on where you live in the world.</p></div></div>
International Day of the Celebration of the Solstice is celebrated on June 21 every year. In 2024, the holiday will occur on a Friday.
2023
Jun 21
Wednesday
2024
Jun 21
Friday
2025
Jun 21
Saturday
2026
Jun 21
Sunday
2027
Jun 21
Monday
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