Date Published 21 June 2023
The Longest Day (Summer Solstice) is observed on either June 20, 21, or 22, but this year, it falls on June 21.
The timing shifts because it depends on when the Sun reaches its northernmost point from the celestial equator.
As the sun creeps up over the hills and into your town on June 21, you'll know it's here. That blessed time of year when barbecues and beach trips reign, when work slows and summer holidays mean getting together with friends and family.
Just thinking about it likely brings up the smell of fresh cut grass and the taste of cold lemonade. Summer Solstice — also known as the first day of summer — has arrived.
It signals the start of astronomical summer. As a result, the days get shorter as summer progresses, first gradually but then at increasingly larger daily intervals as the September equinox approaches and ushers in the beginning of fall.
Because the Sun travels across the sky in its most elongated path during the summer solstice, that day has the most daylight hours.
(We interrupt this poetic paragraph to remind you that this applies only to those living north of the equator.)
Now then — people have celebrated this day for thousands of years. Some of the earliest party animals were the ancient Mesopotamians, Celtic Druids, Chinese, and Egyptians, and all of these cultures had their own ways of celebrating that make even our craziest backyard barbecues look tame.
When was the last time you had a multi-story bonfire and danced around it naked? That's what we thought. But cultures have had good reason to celebrate since ancient times right up until today.
It's the longest day of the year. Enjoy!
