June 20, 2008 - Early dawn. Late sunset. Long day. Short night. For those of us in the northern hemisphere, the June solstice marks the longest day of the year.
It’s your signal to celebrate the first day of summer. South of the equator, winter begins. Thanks to Leap Day this year, the 2008 solstice is the earliest solstice since 1896.
For us in the modern world, the solstice is a time to recall the reverence and understanding that early people had for the sky. Some 5,000 years ago, people placed huge stones in a circle on a broad plain in what’s now England and aligned them with the June solstice sunrise. If you’ve studied your history, you know this is Stonehenge.
These days, we’re not nearly as philosophical. To celebrate the first day of summer, you may want to just hit the beach. Today is International Surfing Day. If shredding on dry land is more your style, tommorrow is Go Skateboarding Day. Either way, it’s a great excuse to get out and ride.
And if balancing on a board just isn’t your thing, there are lots of other events to celebrate the solstice and beginning of summer. Take advantage of the long days, beautiful sunrises and sunsets, and get out and play!
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