According to NASA, the winter solstice will be taking place this year at 9:27 p.m. on Dec. 21, making that the shortest day of the year in terms of daylight.
So, what does the winter solstice represent? Not only does it mean that Illinois will be seeing just under nine hours and eight minutes of daylight on Dec. 21, it also means that the Earth’s axis is currently furthest away from the sun.
Because of this, the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere also represents the summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere. During the summer solstice in Illinois, the Earth’s axis will be at its closest point to the sun in its yearly rotation.
You might be wondering if that means that the winter solstice is also the earliest sunset and latest sunrise of the year? Good question, but no. Since the calendar is not a perfect reflection of the Earth’s movements through space and time, the earliest sunset of the year occurred earlier this month.
However, the days are still becoming shorter, because the sunrise is occurring later and later, and will do so until early January, when the sunrise will occur at about 7:18 a.m.
In Cahokia, which is near the Mississippi River across from St. Louis, indigenous people built multiple temple mounds or pyramids, much like the Aztecs built. Among these stood an interesting structure known today as “Woodhenge,” which had large wooden posts, positioned in a circle.
On the winter solstice, the sun aligns with the Woodhenge and a temple mound in the distance.
This as well as other archeological evidence has led researchers to make the assumption that the Cahokia people, like many indigenous people, revered the sun and considered it a deity. It is also thought that they made careful observations of the solar system and held rituals honoring the sun for the upcoming agricultural year.
In Cahokia, the Winter Solstice will be observed at Cahokia Mounds on Sunday, Dec. 23 at 7 a.m. Visitors should gather at the reconstructed Woodhenge, which is approximately one-half mile west of Monks Mound (the largest mound), on Collinsville Road. While waiting for the sunrise, an archaeologist will explain the discovery of the Woodhenges, their function, and the Mississippian culture that built them. Out of respect to indigenous culture, there will be no rituals or ceremonies performed. The present Woodhenge was built in its original location in 1985, following years of excavations that led to the locations being revealed of the large posts.
The Winter Solstice is a mysterious event due to many people not knowing about its history or significance, and we may never truly know what it meant to the indigenous people.
Did you know that Illinois has rich holiday traditions that have been celebrated for years? The holiday season, for many people, is a time to enjoy gatherings and festivities with family and friends. Here are a few holiday traditions throughout Illinois to celebrate the season.
Do any of these holiday traditions sound fun? Celebrate the season by considering attending one of these events!
Do you still have more presents to get for your family and friends? Holiday markets and festivals in Illinois are a fantastic option to shop for holiday presents, to enjoy a heartfelt experience with loved ones, and to find unique items and gifts. Illinois has several holiday markets and festivals throughout the state. Here are some of the best of the best:
With a variety of options available, we hope you take the time to visit a holiday market or festival in Illinois this year!
Have you begun your holiday shopping yet? If you’re considering shopping local for presents this month, you could help out a small business in Illinois by making a purchase.
Here are some gift options, all made in Illinois, which can be shipped:
For more gift options, check out https://www.enjoyillinois.com/illinois-made/illinois-made-holiday-gift-guide/
Dec. 7 is National Illinois Day! To celebrate, let’s take a look at some of Illinois’ rich history.
National Illinois Day is celebrated annually every Dec. 7 to commemorate one of the nation’s most enchanting states.
Illinois is known for its prominence in the Midwest, is associated with many remarkable politicians in U.S. history, and has many great museums, food, entertainment, and other points of interest.
Illinois has the sixth-largest population of the states. It has the 25th largest land area. It also has the fifth-largest gross domestic product.
Known for its agricultural productivity, dairy products, manufacturing, soybean production, food and meat processing, and cattle production, Illinois is nicknamed “The Prairie State.”
Illinois is also a major transportation hub, with road networks and routes that connect to international ports, due to its proximity to Lake Michigan.
When farmers began their settling of the Illinois prairie, they had trouble sowing seeds into the thick soil. Luckily, a Vermont blacksmith named John Deere invented the steel plow, which made for much more efficient farming. Railroads and shipping lines grew with farms in the rich prairies as settlers spread across the state.
There are a number of past U.S. presidents that considered Illinois their home: Ronald Reagan, Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant and Barack Obama. However, of these presidents, Reagan was the only president born in Illinois.
Here are some FAQs and “Did you know?” statements about Illinois and its history.
Has Springfield always been the capital of Illinois? – No, before it was Kaskaskia from 1809 to 1819, and Vandalia from 1819 to 1839.
Did you know that in 1693, French explorers Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet arrived in the region that became Illinois? They were exploring the Mississippi River, searching for a route to the Pacific Ocean.
Did you know that three rivers form part of the boundary of Illinois? The Mississippi River, the Ohio River, and the Wabash River.
Did you know that they changed the flow of the Chicago River to prevent epidemics of diseases like cholera? On January 1, 1900 they reversed the river to empty into the Mississippi instead of the Michigan. It took eight years and 8,500 workers.
Did you know that the official language of Illinois was known as the American language? This fact lasted from 1923 to 1969, before it was changed to English.
Did you know that Chicago is the third largest city in the U.S., by population?
Illinois has a magnificent history, and today is the perfect day to become more acquainted with it!