June 9 is packed with fun holidays – from National Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Day to Donald Duck Day – there’s sure to be something special that everyone can celebrate!
This date in history marks an important event. On this date in 1944, Allied forces liberated Rome from German control.
Daylight Savings Time
Biannually–in March and November–most of the United States resets its clocks by an hour. We “spring forward” in March, delaying sunrise and shortening daylight; in November, we “fall back,” adding one extra hour of sleep with clocks being reset back to standard time. Some Americans dislike this biannual change as it disrupts sleep schedules and confuses travelers between time zones. Still, others argue daylight saving time provides extra light during evening activities such as playing sports or walking outdoors.
Benjamin Franklin first proposed regularly changing clocks as a joke in 1784 in a letter addressed to the Journal of Paris editor, suggesting that people in France use fewer candles by rising earlier and setting their bedtimes by an hour earlier, saving on firewood consumption. This concept became widely adopted during World War II when Congress approved daylight saving time to cut energy consumption and save on candles.
Recently, daylight savings time has become an effective means of improving children’s health and productivity. It may help prevent heart attacks and strokes by encouraging more exercise and helping avoid depression, suicide attempts, car accidents, and fires. For this reason, The Firemen’s Association of the State of New York advises changing to and from daylight savings time by replacing smoke detector batteries during this transition period to ensure they work when required.
Senate has attempted several times to permanently establish daylight saving time, with Sen. Marco Rubio introducing the Sunshine Protection Act in 2022; unfortunately, neither it passed the House nor received a presidential signature. However, we will still need to adjust clocks twice annually–with November 5th being our next opportunity for “falling back.”
Summer Solstice
Wednesday, June 21, marks the official beginning of summer and the longest day of the year: Solstice. According to reports, on this day, the sun reaches its highest and northernmost points simultaneously, thus marking it as the beginning of astronomical summer, even though meteorological summer doesn’t start until early June. Solstice derives its name from two Latin words: sun (sol) and still (still or stopped). It marks when its path crosses Earth’s horizon farthest north on Earth’s horizon at once – marking its start official beginning as meteorological summer begins in early June 1st!
It marks an essential point in the solar cycle where sunlight reaches its most direct angle at that particular time of the year, heating Earth. In 2024, this event will occur on June 20 at 20:51 UTC (3:51 pm CDT). While not lasting an entire day or evening like some previous solstices have done, days will soon lengthen again after this momentous milestone has passed.
At this point, Earth’s axis tilts toward the sun. As its tilt increases, one hemisphere leaning toward it becomes warmer while the opposite hemisphere experiences cooler temperatures; hence, solstices and equinoxes serve as essential events in the solar cycle; they mark seasonal shifts.
As Earth moves further from its orbit around the sun, our days become longer as summer fades toward winter. Thus, we won’t experience its highest temperature until another month has gone by as summer progresses toward winter.
At Midsummer in Scandinavia, many people mark the summer solstice, also known as Midsummer in Britain and celebrated on 24 June, as one of four quarter days in the British legal calendar along with Lady Day (25 March), Michaelmas (29 September) and Christmas Day (25 December). People often celebrate Midsummer by gathering for a special meal called midsommarskatter followed by bonfire festivities to mark this occasionful holiday day. Midsummer also has strong associations with pagan festivals like Yule.
Summer Holidays
Summer is an enjoyable season full of vacations, picnics, and outdoor fun in the sun. Additionally, many national holidays occur during this period, including Independence Day (July 4), Memorial Day, and Labor Day, allowing Americans to relax and enjoy celebrating all they’ve achieved through hard work.
Summer is also the time of year when it is essential to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. Memorial Day allows many Americans to honor those they’ve lost while spending quality time with family. Memorial Day may not consistently be recognized as a federal holiday. Still, it remains an excellent opportunity to thank military veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice.
While most people travel during the summer, others stay home and unwind with friends and family members. This time can be ideal for starting new hobbies or learning new ones – for instance, World Juggling Day can provide a perfect opportunity to try juggling. Or why not experiment with unique cooking recipes on Cooking Day (August 26) or explore unusual instruments on Unusual Musical Instrument Day (July 31)?
Several silly summer holidays also help break up your routine and relieve stress, such as National Doughnut Day on June 3, Onion Rings Day on June 22, and Corn on the Cob Day (July 11). Plus, there is Chocolate Pudding Day, Gummy Worm Day, and Creamsicle Day, so indulge yourself!
Pet lovers will want to celebrate Hug Your Cat Day and Bring Your Pet to Work Day, take them out on Lazy Day, relax on Lazy Day, or take a break on Stress Awareness Day; read fans can relax with Book Lovers Day while taking time off during Relaxation Day (August 10) or Take It Easy Day (August 15), as well as treat themselves to delicious cheesecake on Cheesecake Day!
summer Vacations
Summer vacations offer the chance to rejuvenate and unwind after a hectic school year while traveling with family or friends is also a fantastic opportunity. Choose from tropical paradises such as Bali mountain retreats in the US or beachfront accommodations like Los Cabos for unforgettable summer adventures that create lasting memories. Check out some classic summer vacation ideas today that may inspire your next memorable journey!
Depending upon your region, summer break typically lasts 8-12 weeks for students. Snow days or other factors could extend this amount further or shorter.
When planning a summer vacation, the ideal times and destinations depend on destination and type. In the United States, visiting Death Valley National Park during early spring or fall temperatures is recommended for optimal experience; however, its natural beauty remains breathtaking even during its hotter months, such as Salt Flats.
Martha’s Vineyard is another popular US summer vacation spot and coastal escape for American families. It is located off the Massachusetts coast and is known for its beautiful beaches and delectable seafood. For an even more luxurious vacation experience, book one of Kruger National Park’s luxurious safari lodges!
South Africa is an increasingly popular summer holiday destination among African travelers and experienced world travelers alike, offering diverse climates and cultures to please every traveler – from Kruger National Park’s animal-dotted plains to Cape Town’s breathtaking cliffs, wine country in Franschhoek and Franschhoek’s wine country; South Africa makes for an unforgettable summer trip!
Yellowstone National Park offers another incredible summer vacation spot known for its geologic activity and breathtaking landscapes. Visitors can explore on foot, by car, or take a guided tour through this stunning area – home of iconic natural landmarks such as Old Faithful! However, make reservations well in advance at its historic Old Faithful Inn to ensure a stay.
