Around the world on December 21, people turned on their Christmas tree lights earlier than usual, and outside, it was turning dark faster than the other days of the year. People around the world celebrated this holiday despite the strange phenomenon outside.

The Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, has the least amount of daylight. Around 6.4 billion people in the Northern Hemisphere faced 7 hours and 40 minutes of daylight. The cause of the Winter Solstice is that the North Pole is tilted farthest away from the Sun, which is also the reason why winter is even a season. After the Winter Solstice, the days slowly get longer.

People find the Winter Solstice something worthy of celebrating, and there are different types of ways that it can be celebrated. In Canada, many Indigenous communities celebrate with ceremonies like drumming, singing, and even storytelling. These communities believe that the Winter Solstice is to remind us about the connection between nature and all forms of life.

In China, the celebration of the Winter Solstice is extremely popular, and the traditions can differ depending on the region. In northern China, eating dumplings is a tradition. It is believed that when you eat dumplings, you are protecting yourself and your family from frostbite in your ears. In southern China, it is a tradition to eat tangyuan, rice balls that are usually filled with sesame paste or red bean paste.

You can also celebrate the Winter Solstice by taking a walk and appreciating nature. Another popular way to celebrate is watching the Sunrise with family and friends.