First day of summer, longest day of year falls on Friday
Summer fans, rejoice: The season officially begins Friday.
The summer solstice, which falls on June 21, marks the astronomical start of summer for the Northern Hemisphere. At 11:54 a.m. ET | 8:54 a.m. PT, the sun's most direct rays will reach the Tropic of Cancer, a line that marks the northernmost point they reach, according to AccuWeather.
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On the solstice, the sun rises between the pillars of Stonehenge in England and sets between the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, AccuWeather reports.
The meteorological start of summer was on June 1.
Jupiter, the Milky Way and other things to see in the sky in June 2019
The astronomical first day of summer coincides with other occasions. World Music Day, or "Fete de la Musique," is an international celebration of music that was started in the 1980s in France.
The Alzheimer's Association marks the day with their "The Longest Day" initiative, which includes walks and runs to raise awareness.
It's also the International Day of Yoga, an official holiday of the United Nations.
SUMMER FUN AND ACTIVITIES
Dairy Queen offering free ice cream to start off summer
Need a summer job? Reynolds Wrap will pay you to travel US, eat free barbecue!
Study: Cruises better than other vacations for your well-being
Hawaii's Kailua Beach Park tops 2019 list of America's best beaches
BEATING THE HEAT
Tips to stay safe during the hot summer months
Heat stroke vs heat exhaustion: What's the difference and what are the symptoms?
Lotion in the refrigerator and more hacks to keep cool without AC
Tips for staying safe during a heat wave as the temperature rises
What is a heat wave? How heat waves form and temperatures climb
Why it's harder to cool off in humidity
How hot summer weather affects your car
MORE SUMMER HEALTH AND SAFETY
5 Facts About Sunscreen You Probably Didn't Know
Study finds summer can lead to weight gain in children
Summer 2019: What barbecue favorites are putting your health at risk?
Water bottle warning: Can you start a fire if you leave bottled water in your car?
Rip currents: Safety tips and what to know
What is a flash rip? And more facts to know about rip currents
SUMMER SCIENCE AND FUN FACTS
What does 'dog days of summer' really mean?
The reason fireflies light up will surprise you
We baked cookies inside a parked car just to prove how hot the inside of a car really is
Heat hypothesis: The link between summer weather and aggressive behavior
