Summer Solstice Fast Facts

Today is summer solstice, the first official day of summer and also the longest day of the year! The only bad thing about Summer Solstice is that after today, the days will start getting shorter again and nights longer. Unless you're a vampire or bat, that's probably not a great thing.

'Solstice' actually means a turning point. In geological terms, summer solstice is basically when the northern hemisphere has the most extreme tilt.

Summer solstice doesn't happen everywhere on the same day. In the northern hemisphere (us!), the summer solstice happens between June 20 and June 22. In the southern hemisphere, the solstice happens between Dec. 20 and Dec. 23.

Enjoy your long day of summer!