<p><strong>On June 21—the longest day of the year—the sun will be at its highest point in the sky.</strong></p><p dir="ltr">The Earth's tilt is to thank for this demarcation of seasons: Summer solstice occurs when the North Pole is tilted directly toward the sun. (The Southern Hemisphere experiences its summer solstice in December, when the South Pole is directly tilted toward the sun.)</p><p>Signifying growth and life, the event has a long history of being recognized as a critical event in the calendar, and many cultures have developed celebrations and rituals to coincide with it.</p><p>—Katie Langin</p>
Bright Horizon
On June 21—the longest day of the year—the sun will be at its highest point in the sky.
The Earth's tilt is to thank for this demarcation of seasons: Summer solstice occurs when the North Pole is tilted directly toward the sun. (The Southern Hemisphere experiences its summer solstice in December, when the South Pole is directly tilted toward the sun.)
Signifying growth and life, the event has a long history of being recognized as a critical event in the calendar, and many cultures have developed celebrations and rituals to coincide with it.
—Katie Langin
Summer Solstice Pictures: From Stonehenge to Carhenge
Pictures from around the world depict sites where people celebrate the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
