June 21st is the longest day and the shortest night in the northern hemisphere. In Washington, the sun rose at 5:43am and set at 8:37pm for 14 hours and 53 minutes of daylight. That is about 5½ more hours of sunlight than we will have on December 21st.

The solstice occurs when the sun is directly above the Tropic of Cancer – and this happens at the exact same time all over the world. Honoring the solstice reminds us how special the summer season can be.

Below are some memorable quotes to mark the occasion:

“In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.” – Albert Camus

“Summertime is always the best of what might be.” – Charles Bowden

“The summer night is like the perfection of thought.” – Wallace Stevens

“Do you always watch for the longest day of the year and then miss it? I always watch for the longest day of the year and then miss it.” – Daisy Buchanan in The Great Gatsby