Which U.S. States/Cities have the Longest Day in 2025? Check Duration and Fact

Discusses the summer solstice in 2025, with details like when it occurs and its cause (Earth's axial tilt). It highlights that the northernmost U.S. cities experience the longest daylight duration and provides a table with specific cities, their states, and approximate daylight durations. The document also touches on the historical significance of the solstice and its astronomical importance as the start of astronomical summer.

Jun 21, 2025, 03:20 EDT

Summer Solstice 2025

The summer solstice is here, marking the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. It is arriving with both celestial beauty and fascinating science. So, for those wondering which U.S. states or cities experience the longest day in 2025, the answer depends on geography, but the northernmost places top the list.

Check out: List of Hottest States in the United States - National Oceanic and Atmospheric

When is the 2025 Summer Solstice?

The 2025 summer solstice officially occurs at 02:42 UTC on Saturday, June 21, which means Friday evening, June 20, for those in the U.S. Have a look at the local time of the solstice across major U.S. time zones:

10:42 p.m. EDT
9:42 p.m. CDT
8:42 p.m. MDT
7:42 p.m. PDT
6:42 p.m. AKDT
4:42 p.m. HST

At this exact moment, the sun stands directly overhead at the Tropic of Cancer, the northernmost point it reaches during its annual journey.

What Causes the Longest Day?

Due to Earth's axial tilt (23.4 degrees), the Northern Hemisphere tilts closest to the sun in June, making this the day with the most sunlight. The higher the latitude, the longer the daylight period.

Which U.S. Cities Experience the Longest Day?

Cities in the northernmost parts of the country get the most daylight on the solstice. Here’s a look at a few:

Summer Solstice

City	State	Daylight Duration (Approx.)
Fairbanks	Alaska	21 hours 49 minutes
Anchorage	Alaska	19 hours 21 minutes
Seattle	Washington	16 hours 0 minutes
Minneapolis	Minnesota	15 hours 37 minutes
Boston	Massachusetts	15 hours 17 minutes
New York City	New York	15 hours 5 minutes
Chicago	Illinois	15 hours 13 minutes

History

Many ancient cultures have celebrated the solstice. In England, Stonehenge aligns perfectly with the sunrise. Meanwhile, Nabta Playa in Egypt, an astronomical site older than Stonehenge, was constructed to mark the solstice and predict the arrival of the monsoon.

Check out: How a Mayor of New York City Is Elected? Check 10 Facts About NYC Mayors

Why Solstice Matters?

Apart from its astronomical significance, the summer solstice marks the beginning of astronomical summer in the Northern Hemisphere. While it’s the longest day, daylight hours begin to shorten from this point onward.

Conclusion

So, whether you're celebrating ancient traditions or just enjoying late sunsets, it's the perfect time to step outside and embrace summer’s longest day.