The Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere occurs about June 21, when the sun is in the zenith at the tropic of Cancer. The sun stays above the horizon for more than 12 hours on that day. It is the longest day of the year.

The sun has been climbing higher and higher in the sky since the winter solstice, about December 21, and the vernal equinox, about March 21. As the Sun gets higher, and higher, and as the days get longer, and longer, the northern part of the Earth warms up - it is summer there!

The Summer Solstice is a very joyful and pretty festival. We decorate our house with flowers. We embellish our windowsills with flower petals.

On this day (Summer Solstice) we celebrate the Sun reaching its zenith, and then turns southward and the days begin to shorten.

We prepare a very special meal - lunch or dinner, including fresh fruit.

We invite our neighbors and friends to join our party and for a chat.