Sunday is the longest day of the year for half the planet. A guide to the summer solstice

Sunday marks the summer solstice, the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere and the start of astronomical summer, while the Southern Hemisphere experiences its shortest day and the beginning of winter. The solstice occurs as Earth's tilt causes extreme sunlight distribution, with the sun reaching its highest arc before retreating. Cultural events like Sweden's midsummer and Stonehenge's alignments highlight historical significance.