Summer solstice

The summer solstice is a special day of the year. It is when the Sun is highest in the sky. This day has the longest amount of sunlight and the shortest night.

There are two summer solstices each year. One happens in the Northern Hemisphere during June, usually on the 20th or 21st. The other happens in the Southern Hemisphere during December, usually on the 21st or 22nd.

Many cultures celebrate the summer solstice with festivals and special events. In Sweden, it is a big holiday with lots of fun activities. People often gather at places like Stonehenge in England to watch the sunrise or sunset.

During the summer solstice, Earth is tilted the most toward the Sun. This makes the Sun appear at its highest point in the sky for that part of the world. Even though this day has the most daylight, the exact time of earliest sunrise and latest sunset can vary a little because Earth’s path around the Sun is not a perfect circle.