By Summer Solstice 2021: Longest day of the year
The summer solstice marks the first day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, bringing the longest day of the year, the shortest night.
The term “solstice” comes from the Latin words “sol,” which means sun, and “sistere” which means to stop.
The name reflects the fact that the sun seems to pause briefly when it reaches its annual southernmost or northernmost position in the sky before reversing direction.
The June solstice holds a special place of celebration in many cultures.
People around the world celebrate the day with feasts, picnics, dance, and music.
A hugely popular celebration in the UK takes place at Stonehenge, the prehistoric monument on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire.
Time and Date
Stonehenge was built in orientation with the sun.
With the stones positioned to align with the sunrise on the two annual solstices, summer and winter.
If you stand in just the right spot you will see the sun directly above the Heel Stone, which stands just outside the circle to the northeast.
Each year, hundreds of people usually gather at the sacred space to celebrate the official start of summer.
This year, however, the event has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, with worshippers heading online to watch the event.
Sunrise on Monday, June 21 at 4.52am – was you awake?
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