The Winter Solstice occurred at 9:47 am Pacific Standard Time. It marked the day with the fewest hours of sunlight this year, at least in the Northern Hemisphere. The event owes its existence to the tilt of Earth’s axis as the third rock from the Sun revolves around its parent star.
In 46 BC, Julius Caesar in his Julian calendar established December 25 as the date of the winter solstice of Europe. Worldwide, interpretation of the event has varied from culture to culture, but most cultures have held a recognition of rebirth, involving holidays, festivals, gatherings, rituals or other celebrations around that time.
National Geographic: Winter Solstice 2009: Facts on Shortest Day of the Year
Wikipedia: Winter Solstice
