Northern Hemisphere celebrates summer solstice for 2006
{{date|June 21, 2006}}
[[Image:Stonehenge summer solstice 2006.jpg|thumb|Thousands gathered to witness the solstice.]]

Around 17,000 people converged on the ancient monument of [[w:Stonehenge|Stonehenge]] this morning to celebrate the northern hemisphere's [[w:Summer solstice|summer solstice]]. Despite a night of torrential rain, spirits were high as the sun rose over the horizon, though clouds blocked out the dawn for much of the event.

The summer solstice is the longest day of the year, having the greatest length of time between dawn and dusk. Stonehenge is constructed so that on the dawn of the solstice, the sun appears in the centre of one of the stone structures. Pagan rituals have taken place at this time every year for many centuries.

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[[Image:Stonehenge summer solstice 2006 car park.jpg|150px|A special car park was set up just for the event]]
[[Image:Summer solstice at Stone Henge.jpg|150px]]
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==Sources==
*{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wiltshire/5098706.stm
|title= Peaceful start to summer solstice
|author=
|pub=BBC News Online
|date=June 21, 2006}}

[[Category:England]]
[[Category:Culture and entertainment]]
[[Category:Religion]]

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[[pl:Świętowanie przesilenia letniego w Stonehenge]]
[[zh:北半球庆祝2006年夏至到来]]
Thousands gathered to witness the solstice.

Around 17,000 people converged on the ancient monument of Stonehenge this morning to celebrate the northern hemisphere's summer solstice. Despite a night of torrential rain, spirits were high as the sun rose over the horizon, though clouds blocked out the dawn for much of the event.

The summer solstice is the longest day of the year, having the greatest length of time between dawn and dusk. Stonehenge is constructed so that on the dawn of the solstice, the sun appears in the centre of one of the stone structures. Pagan rituals have taken place at this time every year for many centuries.

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A special car park was set up just for the event
150px
England Culture and entertainment Religion