Most of us know that summer is in full swing, thanks to the hot temperatures that allow for more fun outdoor activities. Although most people are enjoying the weather, they do not know when the start of summer actually was. While Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, the summer solstice is the actual start of summer.
The summer solstice was on June 21st this year, although the specific date changes every year, it always falls between June 20th and 23rd. The day of the summer solstice depends on when the Sun reaches the farthest point north of the equator. The summer solstice is the longest day of the year, with the most sunshine throughout the day. After the solstice, the days get “shorter” throughout the year, meaning there is less and less sunshine through the day.
The summer solstice is celebrated in different ways throughout the world. While some places let the solstice pass without much mention of it, other regions of the world recognize the day with holidays, festivals, and rituals, mostly which have themes of religion or fertility.
The word solstice comes from the Latin word solstitium which is a combination of sol, or sun, and stitium, which means to stop. This name reflects the fact that the sun seems to stop at this point, at the highest point over the equator, causing the long hours of daylight. The higher location of the Sun allows the rays to strike the Earth at a more direct angle, which creates the hotter summer weather.
Eastland Escrows would like to wish everyone a safe and happy summer, and contact us with all of your real estate needs in the Southern California area. We can help both home buyers and sellers with through the whole real estate process.
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