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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Juneteenth celebrations planned statewide in Massachusetts. Here's where
Cities and towns across Massachusetts will hold events in honor of Juneteenth for the third year in a row. Former president Joe Biden deemed Juneteenth — also known in the past as Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, Jubilee Day and Liberation Day — a state and federal holiday in 2021. The celebration commemorates the day in 1865 when the federal army reached Texas to ensure that enslaved people in the state were freed. Union Gen. Gordon Granger brought news of the end of the war and the Emancipation Proclamation, which had been signed more than two years earlier and could not be enforced in Confederate-controlled territory. He read a statement that all enslaved people were free on June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas. Here is a list of Juneteenth events happening this weekend. Greenfield Greenfield Juneteenth Celebration at Court Square from 2 until 7 p.m. on Saturday. Springfield 3rd annual Juneteenth Freedom Day concert with the Juneteenth Flag Raising at City Hall at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, followed by the Freedom Day concert at 3 p.m. at Symphony Hall. Boston Boston celebration at Franklin Park from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday Embrace Ideas Festival on Friday and Saturday Friday Films: 'I am Not Your Negro' from 2 to 4 p.m. at Parker Hill Juneteenth Open Mic and Arts Day on Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Boston Public Library, Roxbury Branch Library Pieces of Me: A Juneteenth Sewing Program from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the Boston Public Library, Jamaica Plain Branch The Food Group from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Boston Public Library, Brighton Branch Barnstable The town of Barnstable will hold a flag-raising ceremony and historical reenactment of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the JFK Hyannis Museum on Main Street in Hyannis. Fitchburg 3rd Annual Fitchburg Juneteenth Community Collaborative Event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Riverfront Park on Saturday Worcester 2025 Juneteenth Festival from noon until 8 p.m. at Institute Park Mass. beach closures on Thursday, June 19 Mass. weather: Temps to feel like 101 amid severe thunder, tornado risk With no new signs installed at North Pond Conservation Area, rules continue to be ignored WMass community summits seek to counter Trump attack on diversity, equity, inclusion Southwick Town Beach to open for season this Monday Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Longest day of 2025: What to know about the summer solstice
Things are getting hot across the country, and summer has not even officially begun. The summer solstice will occur on Friday, June 20, and it will be both the longest day and shortest night of 2025 in the Northern Hemisphere, according to the National Weather Service. The summer solstice also marks the start of the Pagan holiday Litha, also known as Midsummer, according to the Boston Public Library. The holiday celebrates the beginning of summer and is celebrated with hilltop bonfires and dancing. With the summer solstice near, here is everything people need to know about the grand occasion. The summer solstice will take place on Friday, June 20, at 9:42 p.m. Central time, according to The summer solstice marks the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Meanwhile, the Southern Hemisphere will greet winter with its winter solstice. "The Northern Hemisphere's tilt toward the Sun is greatest on this day," according to NASA. "This means the Sun travels its longest, highest arc across the sky all year for those north of the equator." During the summer solstice, the tilt brings the Earth's northernmost point closer to the sun, resulting in more sunlight. The solstice itself only lasts moments, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. The date of the summer solstice can fall at any point between June 20 and June 22, depending on the year, according to the NWS. In 2024, the solstice fell on Thursday, June 20. More: 26 things to do in the Ozarks this June, from festivals to fishing Several locations around the world are particularly known for celebrating the solstice, including Newgrange in Ireland. Solstices are often associated with pagan religions and draw revelers of different faiths. One of the most famous solstice celebrations takes place at the ancient Stonehenge ruins in Wiltshire, England, where many gather to herald the season. Pagans come by the thousands to Stonehenge, the prehistoric ruins of a monument built between approximately 3100 and 1600 BC. It is one of the most famous landmarks in the UK, but little is known about the civilization that built it or why, as these ancient peoples left no written records behind. Many theories exist as to the original purpose of Stonehenge, including the following: A burial site An astronomical observatory A religious or worship site A sort of gesture or symbol A place of ritual or healing Regardless, it has been the subject of many myths, stories and folklore. It was during the 20th century that Stonehenge became a site of religious significance to people who subscribed to New Age beliefs, including Neopaganism and Neo-Druids, according to USA TODAY's previous reporting. When constructed, the stone circle was aligned with the sun, and to this day, thousands of people gather to witness the moment the sun peeks perfectly through its pillars. Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Summer solstice: 2025's longest day of the year marks start of summer
Indianapolis Star
4 days ago
- Science
- Indianapolis Star
Longest day of the 2025 nears. What to know ahead of summer solstice.
Things are getting hot across the country, and summer has not even officially begun. The summer solstice will occur on Friday, June 20, and it will be both the longest day and shortest night of 2025 in the Northern Hemisphere, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). The summer solstice also marks the start of the Pagan holiday, Litha, also known as Midsummer, according to the Boston Public Library. The holiday celebrates the beginning of summer and is celebrated with hilltop bonfires and dancing. With the summer solstice near, here is everything people need to know about the grand occasion. The summer solstice will take place on Friday, June 20, at 10:42 p.m. ET, according to The summer solstice marks the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Meanwhile, the Southern Hemisphere will greet winter with its winter solstice. "The Northern Hemisphere's tilt toward the Sun is greatest on this day," according to NASA. "This means the Sun travels its longest, highest arc across the sky all year for those north of the equator." During the summer solstice, the tilt brings the Earth's northernmost point closer to the sun, resulting in more sunlight. The solstice itself only lasts moments, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. The date of the summer solstice can fall at any point between June 20 and June 22, depending on the year, according to the NWS. In 2024, the solstice fell on Thursday, June 20. Several locations around the world are particularly known for celebrating the solstice, including Newgrange in Ireland. Solstices are often associated with pagan religions and draw revelers of different faiths. One of the most famous solstice celebrations takes place at the ancient Stonehenge ruins in Wiltshire, England, where many gather to herald the season. Pagans come by the thousands to Stonehenge, the prehistoric ruins of a monument built between approximately 3100 and 1600 BC. It is one of the most famous landmarks in the UK, but little is known about the civilization that built it or why, as these ancient peoples left no written records behind. Many theories exist as to the original purpose of Stonehenge, including the following: Regardless, it has been the subject of many myths, stories and folklore. It was during the 20th century that Stonehenge became a site of religious significance to people who subscribed to New Age beliefs, including Neopaganism and Neo-Druids, according to USA TODAY's previous reporting. When constructed, the stone circle was aligned with the sun, and to this day, thousands of people gather to witness the moment the sun peeks perfectly through its pillars.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Science
- USA Today
Longest day of the 2025 nears. What to know ahead of summer solstice.
Longest day of the 2025 nears. What to know ahead of summer solstice. Show Caption Hide Caption The summer solstice explained: Why the day is so long The longest day of the year, otherwise known as the summer solstice, has fallen on June 21, marking the astronomical start to the season. unbranded - Lifestyle Things are getting hot across the country, and summer has not even officially begun. The summer solstice will occur on Friday, June 20, and it will be both the longest day and shortest night of 2025 in the Northern Hemisphere, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). The summer solstice also marks the start of the Pagan holiday, Litha, also known as Midsummer, according to the Boston Public Library. The holiday celebrates the beginning of summer and is celebrated with hilltop bonfires and dancing. With the summer solstice near, here is everything people need to know about the grand occasion. When is the summer solstice? The summer solstice will take place on Friday, June 20, at 10:42 p.m. ET, according to What is the summer solstice? The summer solstice marks the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Meanwhile, the Southern Hemisphere will greet winter with its winter solstice. "The Northern Hemisphere's tilt toward the Sun is greatest on this day," according to NASA. "This means the Sun travels its longest, highest arc across the sky all year for those north of the equator." During the summer solstice, the tilt brings the Earth's northernmost point closer to the sun, resulting in more sunlight. The solstice itself only lasts moments, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. What date does the summer solstice usually fall on? The date of the summer solstice can fall at any point between June 20 and June 22, depending on the year, according to the NWS. In 2024, the solstice fell on Thursday, June 20. Solstice celebrations at Stonehenge Several locations around the world are particularly known for celebrating the solstice, including Newgrange in Ireland. Solstices are often associated with pagan religions and draw revelers of different faiths. One of the most famous solstice celebrations takes place at the ancient Stonehenge ruins in Wiltshire, England, where many gather to herald the season. Pagans come by the thousands to Stonehenge, the prehistoric ruins of a monument built between approximately 3100 and 1600 BC. It is one of the most famous landmarks in the UK, but little is known about the civilization that built it or why, as these ancient peoples left no written records behind. Many theories exist as to the original purpose of Stonehenge, including the following: A burial site An astronomical observatory A religious or worship site A sort of gesture or symbol A place of ritual or healing Regardless, it has been the subject of many myths, stories and folklore. It was during the 20th century that Stonehenge became a site of religious significance to people who subscribed to New Age beliefs, including Neopaganism and Neo-Druids, according to USA TODAY's previous reporting. When constructed, the stone circle was aligned with the sun, and to this day, thousands of people gather to witness the moment the sun peeks perfectly through its pillars. Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Rare Mahatma Gandhi portrait up for sale in UK: All you need to know
A rare portrait of Mahatma Gandhi will soon be up for sale in London. The 1931 painting of Gandhi, a social reformist and a prominent leader of India's movement for Independence, is slated to be auctioned at Bonhams from July 7 to July 15. According to the auction house and the family of British-American artist Clare Leighton, who created the painting, this is believed to be the only oil portrait Gandhi sat for. 'Not only is this a rare work by Clare Leighton, who is mainly known for her wood engravings, it is also thought to be the only oil painting of Mahatma Gandhi which he sat for,' news agency AFP quoted Rhyanon Demery, Bonhams Head of Sale for Travel and Exploration, as saying. Caspar Leighton, the artist's great-nephew, termed the painting a 'likely hidden treasure', AFP reported. Price of the Gandhi portrait Up for auction for the first time next month, the painting is estimated to be sold for between £50,000 and £70,000 ($68,000 and $95,000). Earlier displays It was displayed in London in November 1931. The only other recorded public display of the painting was at a Boston Public Library exhibition of Clare Leighton's work in 1978. After Clare's death, the artwork passed on to Caspar's father and then to him. 'There's my family's story but the story in this portrait is so much greater,' Caspar said. 'I think it'd be great if it got seen by more people. Maybe it should go back to India — maybe that's its real home,' he added. Gandhi-Clare association It was in 1931 when Clare Leighton met Gandhi, who was in London at that time for deliberations with the British government regarding India's political future. Clare, who was part of London's left-wing artistic circles, was introduced to Gandhi by her partner, journalist Henry Noel Brailsford. 'I think there was clearly a bit of artistic intellectual courtship that went on,' said Caspar, mentioning that his great-aunt shared a 'sense of social justice' with Gandhi. Painting attacked and restored According to Leighton's family, the portrait was attacked with a knife by a 'Hindu extremist' in the early 1970s. Even as the attack has not been documented anywhere, a label on the back of the painting confirms its restoration in the United States in 1974. Casting UV light on the painting, Demery showed a shadow of a deep gash running across Gandhi's face. That is where the now-restored painting was damaged, Demery pointed out. 'It feels very deliberate,' she said. The restoration 'add to the value of the picture in a sense… to its place in history, that Gandhi was again attacked figuratively many decades after his death', AFP quoted Caspar as saying. — with inputs from AFP
