June 20, 2020 marks the official start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. The June solstice, or as it’s more commonly known as the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year because the Earth receives the longest period of sunlight. The sun is also at its highest point in the sky. In the Southern Hemisphere, the June solstice marks the start of winter since the sun is at the lowest point in the sky.

We can’t talk about the summer solstice without mentioning Stonehenge. Located in Wiltshire, England, Stonehenge is a ring of standing stones that could have possibly been used as a calendar. Stonehenge is one of the Seven Wonders of the Medieval World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Learn more about the Summer Solstice and Stonehenge from Hoopla: 

Summer Solstice by Maddie Spalding

What is a Solstice? by Gail Terp

Stonehenge by Michael Capek

What was Stonehenge For? by Anita Croy

Mysteries of Stonehenge by Elizabeth Weitzman

Explore these websites to learn about the Summer Solstice:

LiveScience – Facts and Theories About Stonehenge

NOAA SciJinks – What’s a Solstice?

National Weather Service – Equinoxes and Solstices