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SUMMER BEGINS ON JUNE 21
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Our Planet is Tilted Why do the hours of sunlight change during the year? The answer lies in the Earth’s tilt! When the North Pole is tilted towards the Sun, the Sun rises earlier in the morning and sets later at night in the Northern Hemisphere. As the Earth revolves around the Sun over the course of a year, the position of the North Pole relative to the Sun changes (see diagram). When it is tilted away from the Sun, the days are shorter.
une 21, 2026 is a special day for people in the Earth’s Northern Hemisphere. That day will be the first day of summer and the “longest day of the year” in their part of the world. That day will still have 24 hours, like any other day of the year, but it will feel longer because it is the day of the year that has the most daylight hours. It can have 15 to 20 hours of sunlight, depending upon where you live.
What is this article about? Then answer the questions below! Read one of the articles on this page.
What will happen?
The day that the Earth’s North Pole is tilted closest to the un is known as the longest day of the year or the summer solstice . The winter solstice , or the shortest day of the year, happens when the Earth’s North Pole is tilted farthest from the Sun.
When will it happen?
The Southern Hemisphere gets more sunlight in winter.
Where will it happen?
The rst day of summer is also called QSBUFMTMLENRJSTOYLMSKTBILCME (Circle every other letter below to reveal the answer.)
Why will it happen?
The Northern Hemisphere gets more sunlight in summer.
STONEHENGE Ancient scientists and priests studied the path of the Sun and found that the Sun “returned” on a regular schedule each year. Ancient buildings were constructed to keep track of the Sun’s movement. One of the most famous is Stonehenge located in England. A section of the stones aligns with the rising Sun at winter solstice and an “avenue” aligns with the setting Sun on the summer solstice.
In ancient times, people thought that in the winter, the Sun was leaving them—perhaps to disappear forever. Then in the spring when the daylight hours started to get longer, it was a time of celebration.
Find each Sun’s twin.
© Vicki Whiting June 2026
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