Thousands Gather at the Stonehenge to Witness the Summer Solstice Sunrise on 21 June
The Stonehenge and the summer solstice have a deep connection. Every year large crowds come to the site to witness the sunrise during the summer solstice.
Yesterday was the longest day of the year as it was the day the Northern hemisphere tilts towards the Sun. This year the summer solstice fell on June 21, Thursday. During this day when the Sun reaches the highest point, it seems to stand still. The solstice usually occurs between June 20 and June 22 when the Sun reaches the highest point in the Northern hemisphere. It is the longest day of the year because the sunlight continues for 17 hours. The term ‘solstice’ is a Latin word where ‘Sol’ means ‘Sun’ and the rest of the word that means ‘to stand’ comes from ‘sistere’. The Summer solstice marks the beginning of summer, however, the days get shorter and the nights get longer because the Sun rises late and sets earlier.
What happens in the Southern hemisphere during the Northern hemisphere is having summer solstice?
During the summer solstice, the exact opposite happens in the Southern hemisphere. The days get longer and the nights get shorter and this marks the beginning of winter. Summer solstice in the Southern hemisphere occurs between December 20 and 22 every year.
What is the connection between the summer solstice and the Stonehenge?
The Stonehenge and the summer solstice have a deep connection. Every year large crowds come to the site to witness the sunrise during the summer solstice. Yesterday was no different. Thousands came from far and wide and they cheered and celebrated as the Sun rose. Fortunately, the Sky was clear for all to experience the marvelous sight. There is a large rough looking stone that lies at the entrance to the Stone Circle and is called by different names like the ‘Heel Stone’, ‘Sun Stone’, or ‘Friar’s Heel’. On the summer solstice, the sun rises behind this Heel Stone and the sun rays enter into the center of the monument. People love to photograph the sun over the Heel Stone. It is said solstices have been celebrated at Stonehenge for thousands of years.
What is Stonehenge?
Stonehenge is made up of a ring of standing stones - each of which is around 13 ft high and 6 ft wide and weighs 25 tons. The Stonehenge is actually an ancient burial and is situated between a group of Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments. It was declared a world heritage site in 1986 by UNESCO. Sir Cecil Chubb was its last owner who bought the site for £6,600. He donated the site to the state and now it is worth £51 million.
How was it built?
Stonehenge was built in three stages. Hundreds of people contributed to its creation. Huge stones were brought to this place from Marlborough Downs and Preseli Hills, in south-west Wales.
Some parts of the structure are 5,000 years old. The outer bank was constructed around 3000 BC, while the stone settings were made in 2500 BC. The people then shaped the structure using sarsen and flint hammerstones.
This year many came to witness the sunrise and few even did yoga while the sun was rising and coincidentally, yesterday was also observed as World Yoga Day. According to a person who witnessed the event, the sunrise was amazing. According to Kate Davies, English Heritage's director of Stonehenge, “The solstice was one of the "highlights of the year".
"It's a great opportunity for friends and families to come together and mark the longest day of the year, as people have done for thousands of years," she said.
"There was a lovely, friendly atmosphere throughout, the sun shone, and dawn was met with loud cheers." She added.
