Welcome the rejuvenating vernal equinox! In 2025, the first day of spring graces us on Thursday, March 20. Does this date seem earlier than you remember? Let’s delve into the reasons why and celebrate the arrival of this most beautiful season!
Pinpointing the First Day of Spring in 2025
The year 2025 will see the March equinox occur precisely on March 20 at 5:01 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). This precise moment marks the astronomical commencement of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, while simultaneously heralding the autumn season in the Southern Hemisphere. Falling on a Thursday, this date invites us to anticipate warmer days and the burgeoning of life around us.
If you’ve always associated the spring equinox with March 21st, you’re not alone. However, the date of the equinox on our civil calendar is not fixed and subtly shifts each year. This fascinating phenomenon is due to the Earth’s slightly elliptical orbit and the way our Gregorian calendar system accounts for the Earth’s revolution around the Sun.
Understanding the Spring Equinox
In the Northern Hemisphere, the spring equinox, also known as the March equinox or vernal equinox globally, occurs when the Sun traverses the celestial equator, moving from south to north. The “celestial equator” is an imaginary projection of Earth’s equator onto the sky. Imagine standing directly on the Earth’s equator; on the equinox, the Sun would appear to pass directly overhead as it journeys northward.
During the March equinox, both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres are bathed in roughly equal amounts of sunlight. Neither hemisphere is tilted more towards or away from the Sun, achieving a state of balance in solar illumination.
Leading up to the spring equinox, most locations (excluding the North Pole and the equator) experience an increase in daylight hours each day following the winter solstice. After the spring equinox, many places will enjoy more daylight than darkness within each 24-hour period. This trend of increasing daylight continues until the summer solstice in June, which marks the longest period of daylight in the year.
Would you like to know the exact sunrise and sunset times for your location? Utilize a personalized Sunrise and Sunset calculator for precise details.
Here’s an intriguing detail: Equinoxes are the only two instances annually when the Sun rises due east and sets due west for every location on Earth. As the Sun passes overhead on these days, Earth’s tilt relative to the Sun is effectively zero. This means the Earth’s axis is neither inclined towards nor away from the Sun. It is important to remember, though, that Earth is always tilted on its axis by approximately 23.5 degrees; it never orbits perfectly upright.
To understand more about the cyclical nature of our seasons, explore the reason for the seasons.
Decoding “Equinox”: Equal Night
The term “equinox” originates from Latin, combining “aequus” (equal) and “nox” (night) to mean “equal night.” On the equinox, the duration of day and night are nearly equal across the globe, reflecting the balanced position of the Earth relative to the sun.
Spring Equinox: Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does Spring Commence on March 1st or at the Equinox?
A: Intriguingly, both dates hold validity depending on the definition of “spring” you use. Both perspectives are accurate, just stemming from different frameworks. Let’s clarify:
From an astronomical perspective, the first day of spring is defined by the spring equinox, which can occur on March 19, 20, or 21. The equinox is a universal moment in time, although our local clock times will reflect our respective time zones. It’s crucial to remember that this date signals the start of spring only in the Northern Hemisphere, while simultaneously marking the beginning of autumn in the Southern Hemisphere.
An interesting geographical quirk arises due to time zone differences: the mainland United States has not experienced a March 21st equinox throughout the entire 21st century! We won’t see a March 21st equinox again until 2101.
Meteorologically, the official first day of spring is consistently observed on March 1st, concluding on May 31st. Meteorologists divide the year into quarterly segments to facilitate seasonal and monthly statistical comparisons from year to year. Meteorological seasons are structured around annual temperature cycles rather than the Earth’s position relative to the Sun. These seasons align more closely with the Gregorian calendar, as utilizing the astronomical equinox and solstice dates would introduce statistical complications due to their slight annual variability.
Q: Are Daylight and Nighttime Precisely Equal on the Equinox?
A: Very nearly! In practical terms, day and night are not exactly equal on the equinox. Daytime is defined as starting the instant any part of the Sun becomes visible above the horizon and ending only when the last sliver of the Sun dips below the horizon. If we imagined the Sun as a point of light, like a star, and lived without an atmosphere, then the spring and fall equinoxes would indeed have perfectly equal durations of day and night. However, atmospheric refraction slightly bends sunlight, causing the sun to appear above the horizon even when it is geometrically below it. This effect extends daylight a bit, making the day slightly longer than night at the equinox.
For more fascinating facts, explore the Almanac Astronomer’s post, “Vernal Equinox Oddities.”
Q: Is it true that folklore suggests you can balance a raw egg on its end during the equinox?
A: This egg-balancing folklore gained widespread popularity in 1945 after a LIFE magazine article highlighted this spring tradition. According to John Millis, assistant professor of physics and astronomy at Anderson University in South Carolina, “The origins of this myth are linked to stories that ancient Chinese cultures would create displays of eggs standing upright to celebrate the first day of spring.” However, it’s important to note that “the ancient Chinese celebrated the first day of spring about six weeks earlier than the equinox”—not specifically on the equinox itself.
Like many folklore tales, there’s a kernel of truth but also exaggeration. While you might be able to balance an egg on its end on the equinox, it’s equally possible to do so on any other day! The ability to balance an egg depends more on the egg’s surface texture and your steadiness of hand than on celestial alignments.
Intrigued by this folklore, the Almanac editors decided to put it to the test one spring, just minutes before the vernal equinox. Over a full workday, they found that 17 out of 24 eggs successfully stood on end. Replicating the experiment three days later yielded similar results. Perhaps three days post-equinox was still too close to discount any effect, or maybe the equinox is entirely unrelated. Perhaps, it’s just a fun experiment that reminds us not to take everything too seriously!
Why not try this egg balancing experiment yourself and share your findings? (Tip: A rough surface might offer better grip, or try using an egg with a slightly bumpy end for improved stability.)
Q: Which Day in North America Has the Most Sunlight?
A: The summer solstice, often called the “June” solstice, is celebrated as the “longest” day of the year, marking the day with the most daylight hours (versus darkness). The exact date of the summer solstice varies slightly from year to year, falling between June 20th and June 22nd, depending on the year and your specific time zone. To delve deeper, visit our Summer Solstice page.
Celebrating the Arrival of Spring!
The vernal equinox is a powerful symbol of new beginnings and the rejuvenation of nature in the Northern Hemisphere! Many cultures around the world observe spring festivals that resonate with themes of rebirth and renewal, such as Easter and Passover.
Ancient Equinox Traditions: The Serpent of Sunlight
Beyond scientific explanations, our ancestors possessed a profound connection to the Sun. They meticulously observed its path across the sky, tracking the changes in sunrise and sunset points, and day length, utilizing the Sun and Moon as natural timekeepers and calendars.
Numerous ancient sites globally are aligned to mark the equinoxes and solstices, demonstrating the importance of these celestial events to past civilizations. One of the most renowned ancient spring equinox celebrations unfolded at Chichen Itza in Mexico. The Mayan civilization constructed a magnificent pyramid around A.D. 1000. Even today, the play of sunlight on this pyramid serves as a seasonal marker. On the spring equinox, the sunlight creates the illusion of a massive serpent descending the pyramid steps, a phenomenon the Mayans revered as “the return of the Sun serpent.”
Explore more fascinating examples of ancient seasonal markers.
Spring Verses, Quotes, and Timeless Sayings
Verse
- For glad Spring has begun,And to the ardent sunThe earth, long time so bleak,Turns a frost-bitten cheek. – Celia Thaxter, American poet (1835–94)
- Spring-time sweet!The whole Earth smiles, thy coming to greet. – Unknown
- Never yet was a springtime,Late though lingered the snow,That the sap stirred not at the whisperOf the southwind, sweet and low.– Margaret Elizabeth Sangster, American writer (1838–1912)
Quotes
- Spring is nature’s way of saying, “Let’s party!”– Robin Williams (1951–2014)
Sayings
- Bluebirds are a sign of spring; warm weather and gentle south breezes they bring.
- One swallow does not make a spring.
- In spring, no one thinks of the snow that fell last year.
- When the dandelions bloom early in spring, there will be a short season. When they bloom late, expect a dry summer.
- Don’t say that spring has come until you can put your foot on nine daisies.
Expand Your Knowledge About the First Days of Seasons
The First Days of the Seasons are defined by four key astronomical events throughout the year, marking the cyclical journey of our planet around the sun.
Take a moment to observe the world around you! What signs of spring are emerging in your region? Share your observations in the comments below and celebrate the arrival of this vibrant season!
