The winter solstice marks the moment when the Sun sits at its lowest height in the sky for observers in the northern hemisphere, typically around late morning to early afternoon. For many places, it is the shortest day of the year in terms of daylight. In Canada and the United States, daylight hours reach their minimum on this date, and the Sun’s arc climbs only modestly above the horizon.
To historians, the solstice has stood as a crucial marker in the fabric of many cultures. It signaled a turning point in calendars and rituals. In Neolithic times, communities facing harsh winters used this period to prepare for scarcity. The solstice became a time to gather meat, stock caches of provisions, and begin a slow recovery of daylight and warmth as winter began to loosen its grip.
Did you know?
- In Canada and other parts of the Northern Hemisphere the winter solstice marks the day with the least daylight and the sun’s path reaches its lowest arc above the horizon.
- In the Southern Hemisphere the winter solstice occurs in June and marks the shortest daylight in that season.
- In Australia the solstice occurs during the winter and daylight hours are relatively short, with much longer days arriving during the December season.
- The solstice is also called Midwinter, Yule, and the longest night, and many cultures celebrate with festivals, fires, feasts, and rituals.
People observe the solstice as a moment when daylight begins its return; the exact local time varies by place, and communities across North America often gather for lights, music, and reflections.