Dhaka, June 20 -- The Northern Hemisphere is basking in its longest day of the year as the summer solstice officially ushers in astronomical summer.

Falling on Friday this year, the solstice marks the moment when the Earth's north pole tilts closest to the sun, giving regions north of the equator their maximum hours of daylight. While the north celebrates the sun's peak, the Southern Hemisphere experiences its shortest day as winter begins there.

The word "solstice" originates from the Latin sol (sun) and stitium (pause), reflecting the point at which the sun appears to halt its climb before reversing course. Though the solstice offers the most daylight, the days will now gradually shorten until the winter solstice in December.

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