{"id":775996,"date":"2023-12-21T12:22:14","date_gmt":"2023-12-21T17:22:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/?p=775996"},"modified":"2023-12-21T12:22:14","modified_gmt":"2023-12-21T17:22:14","slug":"winter-solstice-celebrations-around-the-world-npr","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/?p=775996","title":{"rendered":"Winter solstice celebrations around the world : NPR"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\n On Yalda night, the Iranian winter solstice tradition, observers gather with family and read classic poetry aloud to greet the returning sun.
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Jasmin Merdan\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

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On Yalda night, the Iranian winter solstice tradition, observers gather with family and read classic poetry aloud to greet the returning sun.<\/p>\n

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Jasmin Merdan\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

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It’s officially the start of a new season. Winter solstice, which falls on Thursday in the Northern Hemisphere, marks the shortest day and longest night of the year. From now on, the days become longer and nights become shorter. <\/p>\n

This year, the solstice occurs at 10:27 p.m. ET, the exact moment the Earth reaches its maximum tilt away from the sun.<\/p>\n

But while for some it might be a reason to go to bed early, for many, the day calls for celebration. Since before recorded history, the winter solstice has traditionally meant a time of renewal and ritual for people all over the world.<\/p>\n