Summer Solstice

This weekend you can get the most out of one single day for the whole year. Yes, that's right— the winner for most amount of hours of daylight in one day is almost here! Depending on where you are at on the planet, the Summer Solstice in the Nothern Hemisphere will fall between June 20th to 22nd this year.  

"Solstice" comes from the Latin word "solstitium" which is a combination of "sol" (sun) and "sistere" (to stand still) and is used to mark the point when the sun appears to stand still before it reverses directions. This means that FUN FACT: We'll be at maximum tilt this weekend on Earth. 🌎 That same tilt is what's responsible for all of our seasons including the one that already seems to have shown up a bit early this year. ☀ 

Besides going for a swim, having a raspado, or grilling up something on the BBQ, there are so many ways to celebrate the season ahead! Check out the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum's Soar Together Virtual Family Day on June 20th to observe and celebrate the June Solstice including ideas for several brilliant hands-on Sun Celebration activities to experiment with sunlight and shadows and use the Sun as a directional tool and even learn how to make a Neighborhood Stonehedge. The Harvard Museums of Science & Culture is also hosting a bilingual Summer Solstice Celebration online.

Sun Celebration Activities

(courtesy of the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum)

Also happening this weekend: 

June 19 - Juneteenth

On June 19,1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, with the news that the more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in the state were free by executive decree. This day came to be known as #Juneteenth by the newly freed people in Texas. nmaach.si.edu/juneteenth

 

Ways to Celebrate Juneteenth 

 

June 20 - World Refugee Day

World Refugee Day is a day to raise awareness of the plight of refugees around the world and of the efforts to protect their human rights.

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