December Solstice in France ― Date, History, and Details
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Let's dive deeper into learning more about the history of December Solstice in France and why people celebrate or observe it.
History of December Solstice in France and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
The December solstice occurs when the sun reaches its most southerly point in the sky, at 23.5 degrees south of the equator. This happens on December 21st or 22nd each year in the Northern Hemisphere, and June 20th or 21st in the Southern Hemisphere.
In France, the December solstice is known as the solstice d’hiver, or “winter solstice”. It is the shortest day of the year, with the sun setting earlier and rising later than at any other time. For several days around the solstice, the sun appears to stand still in the sky, before beginning to move northwards again.
The word “solstice” comes from the Latin solstitium, which means “sun-standing”. This is because, at the solstice, the sun appears to stand still in the sky before changing direction.
The December solstice has been celebrated since ancient times. The most famous celebration is Stonehenge in England, where people gather to watch the sun rise on the solstice morning. In France, the solstice is not as widely celebrated, but it is still an important day for many people.