Winter Solstice Marks Shortest Day of the Year

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The winter solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year, occurred on December 21, signaling the official start of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. At 4:27 p.m. EST, the Earth’s tilt reached its farthest point from the sun, resulting in the fewest hours of daylight and the longest night. For many, the solstice is a time for reflection and celebration, with festivals and traditions marking the turning of the season. In places like Stonehenge in the UK and the American Southwest, people gathered to observe the celestial event. Although the solstice brings colder temperatures, it also heralds the gradual return of longer days, offering hope for the warmer months ahead.