Thursday, December 21st marks the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the day of the year with the shortest amount of daylight and the longest duration of darkness. After the 21st, the days slowly get longer.Throughout history, many cultures celebrated the winter solstice, specifically the return of the sun and darkness turning into light. Worldwide, interpretations vary, but many regard this as a time of rebirth, marking it with festivals, holidays, rituals, and gatherings. Agrarian cultures relied on the power of the sun to nurture their crops.