Overview

• The winter solstice will occur on December 21, 2024, at 4:21 a.m. EST, marking the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
• This phenomenon happens when the North Pole is tilted farthest away from the Sun, with the Sun's rays directly over the Tropic of Capricorn.
• The solstice has been celebrated for centuries across cultures, symbolizing renewal and the gradual return of longer days and increased sunlight.
• Significant historical monuments, such as Stonehenge, are aligned with the solstice, reflecting its importance to ancient civilizations.
• Modern traditions include cultural celebrations like Japan's yuzu baths, Iran's Shab-e Yalda, and Scandinavian St. Lucia Day, emphasizing food, family, and reflection.