Summer solstice happens precisely when the Earth's axial tilt is most inclined towards the sun, at the degree of 23° 26'.

Summer solstice in 2011 was celebrated by many countries in the Northern Hemisphere. There, it marks the longest day of the year, the shortest night of the year, and what many consider to be the beginning of summer.

Summer solstice occurs on the longest day and the shortest night of the year in the northern hemisphere.

Come December, it will be winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere. Exact date will be December 22 for Winter solstice this year.

A man celebrates summer solstice at the marker for the summer solstice at the Kokino megalithic observatory June 21, 2011. The 3,800-year-old observatory was discovered in 2001 in the northwestern town of Kumanovo, 70 km 43 miles north from Skopje, and
A man celebrates summer solstice at the marker for the summer solstice at the Kokino megalithic observatory June 21, 2011. The 3,800-year-old observatory was discovered in 2001 in the northwestern town of Kumanovo, 70 km (43 miles) north from Skopje, and is ranked as the fourth oldest observatory in the world, according to NASA. Reuters
A man celebrates the summer solstice at the Kokino megalithic observatory June 21, 2008. The 3,800-year-old observatory was discovered in 2001 in the northwestern town of Kumanovo, 70 km 43 miles north from Skopje, and is ranked as the fourth oldest obs
A man celebrates the summer solstice at the Kokino megalithic observatory June 21, 2008. The 3,800-year-old observatory was discovered in 2001 in the northwestern town of Kumanovo, 70 km (43 miles) north from Skopje, and is ranked as the fourth oldest observatory in the world, according to NASA. Reuters
A man celebrates summer solstice at the marker for the summer solstice at the Kokino megalithic observatory June 21, 2011. The 3,800-year-old observatory was discovered in 2001 in the northwestern town of Kumanovo, 70 km 43 miles north from Skopje, and
A man celebrates summer solstice at the marker for the summer solstice at the Kokino megalithic observatory June 21, 2011. The 3,800-year-old observatory was discovered in 2001 in the northwestern town of Kumanovo, 70 km (43 miles) north from Skopje, and is ranked as the fourth oldest observatory in the world, according to NASA. Reuters
Winter