When does our Summer Solstice occur and why?

Our Summer Solstice, which is also known as “the longest Day” is celebrated on June 21st and it happens when the tilt of the planet’s semi axis in either the southern or northern hemispheres is more inclined toward the star that it orbits.

The reason for this occurence between the 20th and 22 June is because the Earth’s axial tilt towards the Sun is at it’s maximum of 23 26′. This only occurs twice a year, the other occasion is between the 20th and 22nd Decemer, which becomes the shortest day and it is all due to each time the sun reaches it’s highest point in the sky as seen in the south or north pole and determines the number of daylight hours we receive.

It is believed in ancient history that this date in June helped the people to work out the time of year, especialy for planting and haresting crops.

At Stonehenge, some historians believe that this prehistoric momument in England is true evidence that humans used the Summer Solstice in June to erect a unique stone circle to establish the date of the longest day.

When viewed from its center, the Sun is shown to rise over a certain point on the horizon and can be clearly followed on the stone circle and used as a calendar. Again it helped the people establish what time of year it was to organise their calendars for the rest of the year.