By Vigdis Hocken and Aparna Kher

The June solstice is the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere.

Different Dates

The date varies between June 20 and June 22, depending on the year, and the local time zone.

June Solstice in Seattle, Washington, USA is on
Sunday, June 20, 2021 at 8:32 pm PDT (Change city)

• Sunrise, sunset and day length around June Solstice 2021
• Countdown to June Solstice 2021 in Seattle, Washington, USA

June Solstice in Universal Coordinated Time is on
Monday, June 21, 2021 at 03:32 UTC

• Local times for June Solstice 2021 worldwide
• Day and Night map for June Solstice 2021
• Equinoxes and solstices from 2000–2049

Zenith Furthest Away from the Equator

A solstice happens when the sun’s zenith is at its furthest point from the equator. On the June solstice, it reaches its northernmost point and the Earth’s North Pole tilts directly towards the sun, at about 23.4 degrees.

It’s also known as the northern solstice because it occurs when the sun is directly over the Tropic of Cancer in the Northern Hemisphere.

Source: timeanddate.com

The struggle continues…

I don’t know about you but these days, the chaos before during and even after the era of trump, I continue to think Election2010 and how the Tea Party shoved our Govt into an express elevator that took us back in time, though we were warned no one seemed to take any of it very seriously.

I have always voted during midterms & national elections via mail so suppression here in Washington is less likely to happen though they did cut eight days from early voting once & voters screamed. Now, that the era of trump though only four years is over, unfortunately, this administration went into what appears to be White is more Right mode and made it possible for discrimination in all it’s forms to function as long as the right people are legislating it carefully and or blatantly enough … Those of us under “Protective Classes” are beginning to lose rights in several states…

The struggle continues and our voices are needed now more than ever.

Now, at least in Washington State they are trying to expand voting options.

#MidtermsMatters and #SpecialElections

Unfortunately, the NEW Jim Crow South ideology will always be tough, but our Youth can and must be part of the change we all need by voting in HUGE numbers, stay inline and mobilize around qualified democrats on the local &national elections.

We need to rise up against suppression … Women, POC, Students, Seniors, Gays and Immigrants and vote so students can finish school without the fear that Republicans love to engage in

~ Nativegrl77

By Aparna Kher

June 20, is the longest day of the year in most time zones in the Northern Hemisphere. Here are 11 facts you might not know about the June solstice.

1. Summer & Winter Solstice

In the Northern Hemisphere, where it is the longest day of the year in terms of daylight, the June solstice is also called the summer solstice. In the Southern Hemisphere, on the other hand, it is the shortest day of the year and is known as the winter solstice.

2. First Solstice of the Year

Solstices happen twice a year – in June and December. The June solstice happens around June 21, when the Sun is directly overhead the Tropic of Cancer. The December solstice takes place around December 21. On this day, the Sun is precisely over the Tropic of Capricorn.

3. When the Sun Seems to Stand Still

Solstice comes from the Latin words sol, meaning Sun and sistere, meaning to come to a stop or stand still. On the day of the June solstice, the Sun reaches its northernmost position, as seen from the Earth. At that moment, its zenith does not move north or south as during most other days of the year, but it stands still at the Tropic of Cancer. It then reverses its direction and starts moving south again.

The opposite happens during the December solstice. Then, the Sun reaches its southernmost position in the sky – Tropic of Capricorn – stands still, and then reverses its direction towards the north.

4. It Occurs at the Same Time…

All over the world. Technically, the June solstice is the exact instant of time when the Sun is directly overhead the Tropic of Cancer.

June solstice is also called summer solstice.

©bigstockphoto.com/Grisha Bruev

5. It Can be on June 20, 21, or 22

Even though most people consider June 21 as the date of the June solstice, it can happen anytime between June 20 and June 22. June 22 solstices are rare – the last June 22 solstice in UTC time took place in 1975 and there won’t be another one until 2203.

June solstice dates: 1 – 2149

6. It’s the First Day of Summer…

…depending on who you ask. Astronomers and scientists use the date of the June solstice to mark the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere and winter in the Southern Hemisphere. For meteorologists, on the other hand, summer began almost three weeks ago, on June 1.

In many Northern Hemisphere cultures, the day is traditionally considered to be the mid-point of the summer season. Midsummer celebrations on or around the Northern summer solstice are common in many European countries.

7. The Earth is Farthest from the Sun

One might think that since it is summer in the Northern Hemisphere, the Earth is closest to the Sun during the June solstice. But it’s the opposite. The Earth is actually farthest from the Sun during this time of the year. In fact, the Earth will be on its Aphelion a few weeks after the June solstice.

Is this timing a coincidence?

The Earth’s distance from the Sun has very little effect over the Seasons on Earth. Instead, it the tilt of Earth’s rotational axis, which is angled at around 23.4 degrees, that creates seasons.

The direction of Earth’s tilt does not change as the Earth orbits the Sun – the two hemispheres point towards the same direction in space at all times. What changes as the Earth orbits around the Sun is the position of the hemispheres in relation to the Sun – the Northern Hemisphere faces towards the Sun during the June solstice, thus experiencing summer. The Southern Hemisphere tilts away from the Sun and therefore enjoys winter during this time.

Why do we have seasons?

8. The Earliest Sunrise of the Year Doesn’t Happen on This Day

Even though the June solstice is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, most places do not see the earliest sunrise of the year on this day. The earliest sunrise happens a few days before, and the latest sunset takes place a few days after, the June solstice.

Sunrise and Sunset timings in your city

In the Southern Hemisphere, where this day marks the winter solstice, the earliest sunset happens a few days before the solstice, and the latest sunrise occurs a few days after it.

This happens because of the imbalance between time measured using clocks and time measured by a sundial. Read more

9. Not Usually the Hottest Day of the Year

In fact, the hottest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere usually comes a few weeks or sometimes months after the solstice. This is because it takes time for the oceans and landmasses to warm up, which again allows for higher air temperatures. This phenomenon is called the delay or lag of the seasons.

10. The Arctic Circle has 24 Hours of Daylight

The June solstice is the only day of the year when all locations inside the Arctic Circle experience a continuous period of daylight for 24 hours. Due to atmospheric refraction, however, the midnight sun is visible for a few days before and on the June solstice from areas as far as 60 miles (97 kilometers) south of the Arctic Circle. As one moves further north of the Arctic Circle, the number of days with the Midnight Sun increase.

What causes the Midnight Sun?

On the Antarctic Circle, there are 24 hours of nighttime on the June solstice. Just as with the Northern Hemisphere, any location south of the Antarctic Circle has Polar Night several days before the June solstice.

11. It’s Celebrated Around the World

The June solstice holds a special place of celebration in many cultures. People around the world celebrate the day with feasts, picnics, dance, and music.