National Daylight Appreciation Day
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Overview
National Daylight Appreciation Day coincides with the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere each year. This day encourages people to celebrate and value the longest period of natural daylight experienced during the year. It's an occasion to enjoy outdoor activities, appreciate the sun's energy, warmth, and the positive impact of extended daylight on mood and well-being, reminding us to make the most of the abundant natural light before the days begin to shorten.
Origin and story
The date universally coincides with the summer solstice, marking the longest period of daylight and the shortest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
The word "solstice" originates from Latin, combining "sol" (sun) and "sistere" (to stand still), as the sun appears to pause its northward or southward movement.
Quick facts
- DateJune 21
- TypeKindness / Community
- Great forCommunity groups, Friends, Coworkers
Also on this date
Ways to celebrate
National Daylight Appreciation Day was created in 2015 by Solatube International, a daylighting company, but it lands on a date people have marked for millennia: the summer solstice, when the Northern Hemisphere gets its longest stretch of sun all year.
Trace the day back to ancient solstice rites
Long before a company put a name on it, cultures across Greece and Europe welcomed the solstice with bonfires and feasts marking the start of a new growing season and the sun at its peak strength.
Use the extra daylight instead of scheduling around it
Since the summer solstice brings the most daylight of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, put the extra hours to use: an evening walk, a bike ride, or a picnic scheduled for a time you'd normally lose to darkness in December.
Read up on why the "longest day" happens
Helpful resources:
Did you know?
The solstice doesn't bring the year's hottest weather — oceans and land take weeks to absorb and release the sun's energy, a lag that pushes peak summer heat into July and August instead.
Fun facts
- The date universally coincides with the summer solstice, marking the longest period of daylight and the shortest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
- The word "solstice" originates from Latin, combining "sol" (sun) and "sistere" (to stand still), as the sun appears to pause its northward or southward movement.
- Depending on latitude, the summer solstice can provide anywhere from around 14 hours of daylight to nearly 24 hours in regions close to the Arctic Circle.
Sources and attribution
International Day of the Celebration of the Solstice (United Nations)
External links may lead to third-party websites.
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FAQ
- When is National Daylight Appreciation Day?
- It is observed on the summer solstice each year.
- What is National Daylight Appreciation Day?
- National Daylight Appreciation Day coincides with the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere each year. This day encourages people to celebrate and value the longest period of natural daylight experienced during the year. It's an occasion to enjoy outdoor activities, appreciate the sun's energy, warmth, and the positive impact of extended daylight on mood and well-being, reminding us to make the most of the abundant natural light before the days begin to shorten.
- How do people celebrate National Daylight Appreciation Day?
- Spend the extra daylight outdoors on the summer solstice — a date cultures across Greece and Europe have marked for millennia with bonfires and feasts, long before Solatube International coined this holiday in 2015.
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