What is significant about the summer solstice?

The summer solstice is significant because it marks the longest day of the year in terms of daylight hours. During the summer solstice, which occurs around June 21st in the Northern Hemisphere, the tilt of the Earth's axis is such that the North Pole is oriented closest to the Sun. This results in the Sun taking a higher and longer path across the sky, leading to more hours of sunlight than at any other time of the year.

As the Earth rotates, places within the same latitude experience this extended daylight, making it a notable time for various cultural celebrations and natural phenomena. In contrast, options that mention hours of darkness or equinoxes highlight different times of the year, such as the winter solstice or the equinox itself, which are not relevant to the summer solstice specifically.