December Solstice in United Kingdom ― Date, History, and Details
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History of December Solstice in United Kingdom and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
December Solstice, also known as the Winter Solstice, is the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. The December Solstice occurs when the sun is at its furthest point from the equator, directly over the Tropic of Capricorn. In the United Kingdom, the December Solstice always falls on December 21st or 22nd. On this day, the sun rises later and sets earlier than any other day of the year.
The word solstice comes from the Latin solstitium, which means “sun stands still.” This is because, at the solstice, the sun appears to stand still in the sky before reversing direction. The December Solstice marks the beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and the start of summer in the Southern Hemisphere.
In the UK, the December Solstice is celebrated with the ancient festival of Yule. Traditionally, Yule was a time for feasting, drinking, and merrymaking. Today, many people still celebrate Yule by decorating their homes with evergreen plants and lights, and by giving gifts to loved ones.