As the Northern Hemisphere welcomes the arrival of summer, June 21, 2025, brings the year’s longest day and shortest night—the summer solstice.
This astronomical phenomenon occurs when the Earth’s tilt leans most directly toward the Sun, placing it at its highest point in the sky over the Tropic of Cancer.
The solstice will officially occur at 8:12 am IST as most countries in the Northern Hemisphere will experience the longest daylight hours on June 21.
Countries like India, the United States, and much of Europe will enjoy extended sunshine, with the North Pole experiencing 24 hours of daylight.
The solstice date varies slightly each year due to the fact that Earth’s orbit around the Sun takes approximately 365.25 days.
Leap years adjust for this, helping to keep our calendar aligned with the planet’s position.
Scientifically, the summer solstice highlights Earth’s 23.5-degree axial tilt, the reason for our seasons.
On this day, the Sun’s rays strike the Northern Hemisphere more directly and for a longer duration, providing the most sunlight of the year.