December Solstice in Vatican City (Holy See) ― Date, History, and Details
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History of December Solstice in Vatican City (Holy See) and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
The December solstice occurs when the sun is at its farthest south point from the equator. This happens on December 21st or 22nd each year in the Northern Hemisphere and on June 20th or 21st in the Southern Hemisphere. The word “solstice” comes from the Latin solstitium, which means “sun stands still.” At the solstice, the sun’s path (as seen from Earth) reaches its most southerly point and then stops moving south for a few days before starting to move north again.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the December solstice is the winter solstice and the shortest day of the year. The sun rises later and sets earlier than any other day. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is the summer solstice and the longest day of the year.
At the December solstice, the Earth’s North Pole is tilted 23.5 degrees away from the sun. This is why the Northern Hemisphere has shorter days and longer nights during the winter months. The Southern Hemisphere has the opposite conditions with longer days and shorter nights during the summer months.
The December solstice has been celebrated by cultures around the world for thousands of years. It is often seen as a time of rebirth or new beginnings as the sun “returns” from its southernmost point and starts to move north again. For many people, the December solstice is a time to reflect on the past year and set goals for the future.