Shortest day and longest night Winter solstice ushers in the official ...

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Winter solstice: What the shortest day of the year signifies

The official start of the winter season is known as the winter solstice. Here's what it signifies.

The United States has seen some chilly weather recently, and some areas have been downright freezing before winter had even started. Now, the winter solstice, Saturday, Dec. 21st, is upon us.

It will be both the shortest day and longest night of 2024.

The solstice also marks the start of the Pagan holiday, Yule, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. The holiday is thought to celebrate the sun's return and the land's rebirth as days begin to get longer after the longest night of the year.

The solstice is celebrated by many as a time of rebirth and change. Many cultures throughout human history have observed the shift in season as an important symbol, and people of different faiths continue to recognize it today.

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What is the winter solstice?

The winter solstice ushers in the astronomical winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Meanwhile, the Southern Hemisphere will greet summertime with the summer solstice.

The extra long night and short day occur thanks to the Earth's tilt from the sun. During the winter solstice, the tilt brings the Earth to its farthest point from the sun, resulting in less sunlight. The solstice itself only lasts moments, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac, in the "exact moment when a hemisphere is tilted as far away from the sun as possible."

What date does the solstice usually fall on?

The date of the winter solstice can fall at any point between Dec. 20 and 23, depending on the year, but the 21st and 22nd are the most common.

In 2023, the solstice fell on the same date but a different day, Thursday, Dec. 21st.

Stonehenge and the Solstice

Several locations around the world are particularly known for celebrating the solstice, including Newgrange in Ireland. Solstices are often associated with pagan religions and draw revelers of different faiths.

One of the most famous solstice celebrations occurs at the ancient Stonehenge ruins in Wiltshire, England, where many gather to herald the season.

Many theories exist as to the original purpose of Stonehenge, including a burial site, astronomical observatory, religious or worship site, some sort of gesture or symbol, or a place of ritual or healing. Regardless, it has been the subject of many myths, stories, and folklore.

It was during the 20th century that Stonehenge became a site of religious significance to people who subscribed to New Age beliefs, including Neopaganism and Neo-Druids. When constructed, the stone circle was aligned with the sun, and to this day, thousands of people gather to witness the moment the sun peeks perfectly through its pillars.

There would be no Christmas tree without Pagans

Many of the practices we associate with Christmas today came from pagan celebrations of the solstice, such as Christmas trees and wreaths, which originated from the celebration of Yule. The solstice has been revered by human cultures throughout history, and it is honored as a representation of new beginnings as people welcome in the next season.

Pagans still come by the thousands to Stonehenge, the prehistoric ruins of a monument built from around 3100 to 1600 BC. It is one of the most famous landmarks in the UK, but there is little known about the civilization that built it or why, as these ancient peoples left no written records behind.

Contributing: Maxwell Hauptman, USA TODAY