Why June 21 is the World’s Longest Day

Time and seasons are two important factors to influence life on planet Earth.

They are the determinants with which the natural flora and fauna dictate their movements.

Life in nature follows a strict pattern in line with the variations in day and night. Seasonal or weather changes influence natural life and have their effect on human beings as well.  

The dawn of the summer season in the northern hemisphere is marked on the 21st of June annually - the summer solstice.

The path of the sun lies the farthest toward the north during the summer solstice.

The sun travels the longest distance during the summer solstice, which contributes to more extended daylight.

Events associated with the summer solstice

Every single revolution of the Earth around the sun takes about 365 days.

With its revolving motion around the sun, the Earth spins on its axis as well.

The term “axis” is an “imaginary line” that runs from the North Pole to the South Pole. The duration of each rotation lasts for 24 hours which is separated as day and night.

The North Pole tilts toward the sun by an exact value of 23.4 degrees during the summer solstice. Hence, it becomes the longest day of the year, since more daylight becomes available in Canada, the USA, the UK, Russia, China and India.

After six months, the tilt begins to move away from the sun at a steady pace.

The northern hemisphere begins to face away from the sun for three days.

It starts from the 21st of December till the 23rd of December. Hence the longest night of the year or the winter solstice begins.

However, this event also marks the beginning of the summer solstice in the southern hemisphere. Nations like Chile, South Africa, Argentina, New Zealand and Australia experience the summer solstice on the Southern Hemisphere.

Truths regarding summer solstice

The 22nd of June 1912 records the longest day in the history of the Earth.

The term “solstice” is a derivative of a pair of Latin words – sun (sol) and stand still (sistere). At this time, the sun appears to remain still for many days without moving in any directions.

It is believed that the purpose behind building Stonehenge was to signify the summer solstice.

The sun rises on the top of the Heel Stone, which is the entrance towards the stone circle.

With the passing day, the sun reaches the centre of the monument.

It is held in the general belief that every year the 21st of June, stands as the summer solstice.

History recorded the longest day of Earth on the 22nd of June 1912.

Times and seasons keep changing.

Days are long while nights are shot and vice versa depending on the time of the year.

But there comes the point in time when both - the longest day and the longest night stands during separate times of the year.

The summer solstice is therefore marked on the day the sun provides the most daylight.