2010 Summer Solstice

2010 summer solstice

The solstice is an astronomical event that only happens two times over the course of the year. It occurs when the tilt of the Earth’s axis leans more toward, or away from the sun. This causes the sun to shine either toward the northern half, or southern half of the earth. This event also drastically effects the seasons in different parts of the globe. The name solstice comes from the Latin word sol (sun), mixed with the Latin word sitere (to stand still). Due to the fact that the sun is always at the same point, and it is the axis of the Earth that is moving instead, the name literally means “sun stand still.”

The terms Summer Solstice and Winter Solstice are commonly used to refer to the event happening during the given season. Seeing that the seasons differ from the northern to the southern hemisphere, the terms may be ambiguous. They are also used to describe both the longest and shortest days of the year, in terms of amount of time that sunlight is experienced.

The Northern and Southern Solstice indicate the direction that the sun “moves” in terms of how we view it here on Earth. The Northern Solstice takes place in June. During that period of time the sun is positioned over the Tropic of Cancer in the Northern Hemisphere. The Southern Solstice occurs in December, when the sun can be viewed directly over the Tropic of Capricorn in the Southern Hemisphere.
The terms have been used for quite some time, and are commonly used to describe the astronomical event that takes place twice per year.

Flag Day

Flag Day honors Old Glory as National Flag Week begins 

It's time to honor our country's oldest and most prominent symbol of American mettle. Monday, June 14, is Flag Day; the beginning of National Flag Week. The history of this uniquely American commemoration is deeply rooted in the annals of American history; dating back nearly 250 years. 

18th Century
On June 14, 1777, the Grand Union Flag was proposed by the Continental Congress to fly in the place of the British Union Jack. The Grand Union was first unfurled on January 1, 1776 at the headquarters of the Continental Army. This flag is widely accepted as our nation's first flag. It was eventually replaced by the Stars and Stripes design (that has morphed dozens of times to the 50-star design of today). 

19th Century
American's have been formally celebrating Flag Day on June 14, since 1877, just 12 years after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. During the Rutherford Hayes presidency, flags were first ordered to be flown from every government building on June 14, 1877, to commemorate the centennial anniversary of the adoption of the Grand Union, first flown one hundred-years earlier.  

20th Century
In 1949, President Harry Truman officially proclaimed June 14 as Flag Day. Deemed to be too near Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day, the honor has never been adopted as a federal holiday; instead the sitting President makes an official proclamation each year, permitting each state to choose for itself how to celebrate the occasion. 

Finally, in 1966, Congress approved a resolution declaring the week in which June 14 falls to be National Flag Week, essentially extending all Flag Day honors to last a whole week. 

Interesting flag facts
1. The American flag is said to be the most recognizable flag in the world, and places in the top 20 most recognizable of all the world's symbols and logos.

2. It is one of the most complicated flags to make, taking more than 64 individual pieces of fabric to complete. It has changed designs more frequently than any other flag in the world. 

3. It's Alive! According to the Flag Code, the American flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. (United States Code Title 4 Chapter 1 [8j] ). As such, it is appropriate to fly a flag that has fewer than 50 stars or more than 13 stripes. It is proper etiquette to fly any flag that at some time in American history was the current "living" active flag.

4. The Boy Scouts of America are one of a select few service organizations permitted to give final honors to a flag. The U.S. flag code states, "The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning." Such ceremonies are carefully choreographed and performed with precision and care; often ending on a somber note. 


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