December Solstice in New Zealand ― Date, History, and Details
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Let's dive deeper into learning more about the history of December Solstice in New Zealand and why people celebrate or observe it.
History of December Solstice in New Zealand and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
The December solstice occurs when the sun is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn, which is located at 23.5 degrees south latitude. This happens on December 21st or 22nd each year in the southern hemisphere. In New Zealand, this is the start of summer and the longest day of the year. The sun rises earlier and sets later than any other day of the year. The word ‘solstice’ comes from the Latin solstitium, which means ‘sun stands still’. This is because the apparent position of the sun reaches its northernmost or southernmost point in the sky and then appears to stop moving for a few days before changing direction.