Every year, there is a time when we have the longest amount of sunshine. The Summer Solstice, which is the longest day of the year, will be the only exception to the most northern and southern parts of the planet. This is the longest time the sun will be visible in the sky and provides us with the most light. National Daylight Appreciation Day celebrates this celestial event.

The ever-changing patterns of the year have been known by mankind since time immemorial. They include the cycle of long hours of darkness to long hours of light. These events had mystical meanings in the past. They marked the passage of a great sun god from the Land of the Living to the Land of the Dead, and his eventual rebirth in deep winter. These events were celebrated in most cultures with a great ceremony. It was meant to commemorate the glory days of God’s strength and his eventual passing into darkness to be reborn.

These were great days marked by feasts. The ancients understood that plants and animals that thrived needed the sun to grow. This was essential to the survival of humanity. We have come to realize that all this is part of a natural cosmic dance. It is due to the Earth’s rotation around the sun and how it is angled on its azimuthal tilt. All of that aside, National Daylight Appreciation Day is the longest day in the year and reminds everyone to celebrate while the sun shines.

It’s really quite simple! It’s easy to go outside and spend some time in the sun, which is the most reliable nuclear furnace known. Picnics and walks through the forest are great ways to celebrate National Daylight Appreciation Day. But remember that the year ahead will get darker until we reach the depths of winter. You don’t have to stay in your cubicle doing work, but you can remind yourself that there are other ways to enjoy the outdoors. Get out and enjoy a swim, a barbecue, and a National Daylight Appreciation Day.