It’s the Summer Solstice!

Hi, it’s Leslie Harris, and today is the summer solstice, also known as festival solstice or midsummer. Today is the longest day of the year. The summer solstice has long been significant in many cultures.

For example, in Sweden, it is a major holiday, and the whole country closes down. Many countries in East Asia celebrate with dragon boat festivals, Iran celebrates Tirgan by splashing water, dancing and reciting poetry and serving traditional foods. In Northern Ireland, people celebrate The Day of Private Reflection.

And at Stonehenge in the south of England, pagans and partiers gather every year for a big celebration. On the summer solstice at Stonehenge, the sun rises behind the Heel stone and it’s very first rays shine right into the center of Stonehenge.

Do you do anything special to commemorate the summer solstice? Let me know in the Facebook comments.