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The shortest day of the year -

Thursday, December 21, 2023, at 10:27 pm EST, marks the beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere: the winter solstice. It's also known as the "shortest day of the year."

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The hemispheres -

For the northern part of the Earth, the solstice occurs each year on December 21 or 22. In contrast, the Southern Hemisphere's winter solstice occurs in June.

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Sunlight -

The winter solstice day has the fewest hours of sunlight in the year for people living in the Northern Hemisphere. From the winter solstice onwards, the days will slowly get longer, until the summer solstice in June.

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Astronomical winter -

Astronomical seasons are based on the position of the Sun in relation to the Earth. Astronomical winter begins on the winter solstice and ends in the March equinox.

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Meteorological winter -

Meteorological winter is based on climate patterns and temperature cycles, and it begins a few weeks earlier on December 1, ending on February 28 (or 29, if a leap year).

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A moment in time -

We think of the solstice as an entire day, however, in reality, it's actually a moment in time when the Sun is pointed the furthest away from the Northern Hemisphere.

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The Sun's path -

The Sun's path across the sky has a much lower arc than it does in summer. As it makes its way from east to west in the Northern Hemisphere, the Sun is as low in the sky as it will be all year, hugging the horizon more closely.

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The longest shadow -

You can observe the effects of the solstice by standing outside at noon and looking at your shadow. It's the longest shadow you'll cast all year.

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Standing still -

The word solstice comes from the Latin words for Sun, sol, and sistere, which means to stand still. So solstice literally translated means "sun stand still."

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Not the coldest day -

You might expect the solstice to be the coldest day of the year, as it's tilted the furthest away. However, that's not the case, as things like altitude and weather patterns/conditions contribute to the temperature.

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Not the coldest day -

For example, snow cover blocks the full absorption of the Sun's radiation by the Earth, which causes a lower temperature overall.

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The North Pole -

In places in the far north of the Earth, like Svalbard (located between Norway and the North Pole), in the weeks either side of the winter solstice there is no light whatsoever (from mid November to mid January).

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Northern lights -

But, thanks to the darkness, it is one of the best times of the year to catch a glimpse of the northern lights!

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Neolithic times -

As far back as Neolithic times, it appears the solstice was considered important. Back then, astronomical events were used to guide activities.

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Newgrange, Co. Meath, Ireland -

One site that appears to have been built in honor of the solstice is Newgrange in Ireland. Each year, the winter Sun illuminates the passageway of this ancient temple at sunrise. Newgrange was constructed 1,000 years earlier than Stonehenge.

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Stonehenge, England -

Stonehenge in England was built to align with the setting Sun on the solstices. On the winter solstice, the Sun sets to the south-west of the stone circle.

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Ancient winter -

In ancient times, winter was a time of heightened risk of death from starvation, particularly between the months of January and April, when the weather tends to be coldest.

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Ancient winter -

The longest night was also seen as symbolic of the Sun's death and rebirth, as it marked the beginning of the Sun's (or Sun god's) activity in the sky reversing: the Sun would start to get closer, instead of further away, with the light overcoming the dark in the coming months.

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Midwinter celebration -

In places with a temperate climate, midwinter meant throwing a celebration before the deep winter began. Cattle were slaughtered so they would not need to be fed during the wintertime. 

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Yule -

The winter holiday Yule was celebrated by Heathen Germanic people at the midwinter point of the year. One of the earliest recordings of Yule celebrations was noted in Norway in the 10th century.

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Christianization of Yule -

When Germanic people were Christianized, Yule was incorporated into the Christmas celebrations, and the word survived in English and Swedish.

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Yalda night -

In Iran, the winter solstice is celebrated as Yalda night, one of the oldest traditions that has been present since ancient times in Persian culture.

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Soyal -

The Hopi of northern Arizona celebrate Soyal on the winter solstice. There are purification ceremonies, dancing, and sometimes gift-giving. The kachinas, spirits from the mountains, are welcomed at the time of the solstice.

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Saturnalia -

In ancient Rome, Saturnalia was celebrated around the time of the winter solstice. It's closely linked to the modern celebration of Christmas.

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St. Lucia's Day -

The celebration of St. Lucia in Scandinavian countries is a festival of lights that has come to honor the Christian martyr and now incorporates certain Norse solstice traditions. Fires are lit to ward off spirits on the longest night.

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Dongzhi Festival -

The Dongzhi Festival, the winter solstice festival, is a traditional Chinese celebration. Taking place between December 21-23, in the past it marked the end of the harvest period.

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Hanukkah -

Hanukkah begins three days before the new moon closest to the winter solstice. It recapitulates the solstice themes of resurrection, and the return and triumph of the light.

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Christmas -

It's no coincidence that Christmas occurs so close to the winter solstice. A combination of Yule, Saturnalia, and other winter solstice festivities combined traditions for the Christmas celebrations we have today.

Sources: (Britannica) (Almanac) (Space.com)

See also: 30 simple and delicious Christmas appetizers

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