On the longest day of the year, Summer Begins in the Northern Hemisphere. It is also known as the Summer Solstice, which happens either on June 20th, 21st, or 22nd. It all depends on the time zone in which you live. This one is June 21, 2026.
With the Summer Solstice, the astronomical calendar marks the first day of summer as the Earth’s axis is pointed toward the sun. It’s rays more directly impact the Northern Hemisphere giving us more daylight and more warmth. It’s a time when plants grow rapidly and animals are more active. That includes humans.
Many schools are out of session during the summer which gives families the opportunity to take vacations. Even those without children take time to explore the outdoors through camping, hiking, and biking. Community pools open, inviting everyone to cool off on hot summer days. The beaches are open, too. Water adventures in the form of kayaking, canoeing, skiing, and fishing entice us to the rivers and lakes.
Gardners and farmers spend time cultivating their bounty and watching the skies for foul weather. And speaking of fouls – baseball, softball, and soccer teams take the field with cheering fans in every color of the rainbow.
There’s so much to do during the summer, we try to pack it all in over weekends and short breaks. But it never seems to be enough time. Before we know it, summer is over. Though, it’s only just begun.
SUMMER BEGINS HISTORY
Since ancient times, the summer solstice has been marked on calendars with celebrations honoring the sun and as a way to mark the seasons.
HOW TO OBSERVE SUMMER BEGINS
There are so many ways to enjoy the beginning of summer! Whether you spend the day hiking, reading a good book on the beach or grilling some burgers, the important thing is that you celebrate summer. Spend some time outside in the fresh air. Take a long walk and visit a local park.
How will you celebrate? Let us know by using #SummerBegins to share on social media.
Each year on April 3rd, National Find A Rainbow Day challenges us to look to the sky and find a colorful ray of hope cast across it.
There are people that see rainbows as an artistic masterpiece in the sky, to others it is a sign of hope and to many a sign of promise.
It can be all three; beauty, hope and promise.
Jill Magnus
A spectrum of light in the form of a multicolored arc, appearing in the sky, is caused by both reflection and refraction of light in water droplets in the Earth’s atmosphere. These rainbows always appear directly opposite of the sun. The light is refracted (bent) when it enters a droplet of water, then is reflected inside on the back of the droplet and refracted again when leaving it.
Red is the color that is visible on the outer part of a rainbow and violet on the inside of a primary rainbow. Children learn in science class the mnemonic ROYGBIV to help them to remember the sequence of colors in a rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet. Many forms of airborne water can cause rainbows including, rain, mist, spray, and dew.
Find yourself a rainbow or use the garden hose or a prism to make one yourself. Families, students, and classrooms, create a rainbow from the colorful hearts on this printable. There’s at least one for every color in the rainbow. Take out your color crayons and finish what we’ve started. Then cut them out and put them in a cheerful, sunny window to brighten the day of someone passing by.
Use #NationalFindARainbowDay to post on social media.
As the gateway to the new year, January is a month of new beginnings, reflection, and resilience. Named for the Roman god Janus, the deity of doors, gates, and transitions (who is depicted with two faces looking to the past and the future), January perfectly embodies this spirit of looking back and moving forward.
Season and Weather
In the Northern Hemisphere, January is typically the heart of winter, with cold temperatures, shorter days, and potential for snow, ice, and frost. Average temperatures in regions like North America and Europe can range from below freezing to mild, depending on location—think blustery winds and cozy indoor vibes. In contrast, the Southern Hemisphere experiences summer, with warmer weather, longer daylight, and opportunities for outdoor activities like beach outings. Global weather patterns can include polar vortex events in the north or monsoons in some tropical areas.
January encourages a blend of outdoor winter fun and indoor coziness, especially with New Year’s resolutions motivating fitness and self-improvement. Popular activities include:
Outdoor: Skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, building snowmen, or having snowball fights in snowy areas. Indoor: Baking cookies, reading books, hosting game nights, or trying hot chocolate recipes. Seasonal: Starting fitness routines, decluttering homes, or planning travel. In warmer climates, hiking, picnics, or beach visits are common.
January is a major month in the sports calendar:
· American Football: The climax of the NFL season with the ** playoffs**, leading to the Super Bowl in early February. · Soccer: The midway point of the European football season, with domestic leagues and cups in full swing. · Tennis: The beginning of the Grand Slam season with the Australian Open in Melbourne.
January is full of holidays, observances, and awareness days. Notable ones include: January 1: New Year’s Day (a worldwide celebration of the new year). Epiphany (a Christian holiday commemorating the visit of the Three Kings) falls on January 6. In the United States, the third Monday of January (January 20, 2025) is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which honors the civil rights leader. January 26 marks Australia Day and India’s Republic Day. Other fun or awareness days include National Bird Day (January 5), Houseplant Appreciation Day (January 10), and International Hot and Spicy Food Day (January 16).
Birthstones, Flowers, and Symbols Birthstone: Garnet, symbolizing protection, friendship, and trust. It’s a deep red gem believed to bring good health and vitality. Flower: Carnation (representing love and fascination) or snowdrop (symbolizing hope and renewal). Symbols: The month is associated with the Roman god Janus (two-faced deity of beginnings). Zodiac signs are Capricorn (December 22–January 19, earthy and ambitious) and Aquarius (January 20–February 18, innovative and humanitarian).
Symbols & Significance
· Birthstone: Garnet, a deep red stone symbolizing protection, friendship, trust, and enduring connections. · Birth Flower: The Carnation (symbolizing love, fascination, and distinction) and the Snowdrop (symbolizing hope, purity, and the triumph of life over winter). · Zodiac Signs: · Capricorn (December 22 – January 19): Ambitious, disciplined, and practical. · Aquarius (January 20 – February 18): Progressive, original, independent, and humanitarian.
Famous Birthdays Many influential figures share January birthdays. Here are some notable ones:
Elvis Presley David Bowie Martin Luther King Jr. Muhammad Ali Benjamin Franklin Oprah Winfrey Michelle Obama J.R.R. Tolkien Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales Virginia Woolf Justin Timberlake
Feel like Shopping?
January is a shopper’s sweet spot, with post-holiday clearance sales offering deep discounts on winter clothing, bedding and linens (classic “white sales”), fitness gear, TVs, beauty products, and home essentials like cookware. To maximize value, skip new cars (few incentives), late-season winter sports equipment, and big furniture or mattresses, which see better deals around Presidents’ Day in February. Shop smart this month for real savings without the regret.
Get ready for a spooktacular Halloween with Amazon’s Halloween sale! From eerie outdoor decorations to spine-chilling costumes, Amazon offers everything you need to make this Halloween unforgettable. Explore a wide selection of haunted house décor, stylish costumes for all ages, and candy for trick-or-treaters at great prices. Don’t miss out on limited-time deals on party supplies, themed accessories, and more. Whether you’re planning a scary bash or just looking to add a festive touch to your home, Amazon’s Halloween sale has got you covered. Shop now before the best deals disappear!
![Night Lights Plug Into Wall [2 Pack], Color Changing Night Light for Kids, 8-Color RGB LED Nightlight with Dusk to Dawn Sensor for Bathroom Decor, Children Room, Gift#NationalFindARainbowDay](https://i0.wp.com/jensperspectiveblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/61l3kedymhl3255181207405962846.jpg?resize=679%2C679&ssl=1)
