Midsummer Night's Dream

Our anniversary falls on Midsummer's Day, 24th June, which is a little strange - the date rather than it being our anniversary. 

But let me explain or confuse you a bit more.

Meteorological summer in the UK starts on 1st June and ends on 31st August.
The astronomical summer begins at summer solstice, the longest day, this year being 21st June.

So 24th June being mid-summer doesn't make sense by any reckoning. 

But it all goes back to pagan traditions around the summer solstice. Midsummer was traditionally celebrated for about a week around solstice until the Christian Church came along and decided this was far too ... well, pagan, and opted for 24th June, St John's Day, as Midsummer.

With that most of the traditional festivities died out eventually although in recent years groups like the Old Cornwall Society have revived the traditions. 

For more information about all things midsummer pop along here.