Manka Khala's annual celebrations

The summer solstice is a fascinating astronomical event and is celebrated in many countries around the world. The solstice literally means sun standing still in Latin. While it is orbiting the Sun, the Earth is also spinning around its own tilted axis. Due to the 23.5 degree tilt, the Sun’s rays directly hit either of the two tropical latitudes on a particular day of the year. The Summer Solstice occurs when the Sun’s rays are directly overhead the Tropic of Cancer (23.5 degree latitude North), making it the longest span of daylight and the official start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere.

The summer solstice falls between June 20th and 23rd each year. In the Southern Hemisphere, this date marks the Winter Solstice, that is the start of winter and the shortest amount of sunlight of the year. The Sun’s rays are reaching that part of the planet obliquely, therefore losing much of its heat and energy to dispersal in the atmosphere. Historically, the Sun has been the subject of many a culture’s divinity and inspiration and it is often considered the deciding factor in the harvest, fertility, energy, creative progress, and much more.

Most ancient cultures of the Northern Hemisphere had established Summer Solstice celebrations, often religious or spiritual in nature. The Celts, Gauls, Romans, Chinese, as well as Germanic and Native American tribes all had unique versions of Summer Solstice festivities. These included fertility rites, fruit and berry gathering festivals, bonfires and purification rituals. The symbolism of the Sun as a force of life gives both Solstices an essential place in human perception.

The unique availability of light, which is associated not only with life and activity, but also positive forces in the universe, seems to fill us with a vivaciousness that is lacking for other periods of the year. Midsummer celebrations, as those in honour of the Summer Solstice are alternately called, are jovial and upbeat in spirit, complete with revelling in the outdoors, food, merriment, bright colours, and all the special aspects of summer that people around the world long for year round.

The Sun is approximately 5 billion years old and is an astounding 109 times larger than the Earth. Surprisingly, the Earth only receives about two billionths of the Sun’s total energy, yet that seemingly insignificant fraction is enough to sustain carbon-based life. Dreading the “dog days of summer”? It was the Romans who came up with that term to describe the period of the summer that is characterized by extremely hot weather. They believed this change in the weather pattern had something to do with Sirius, the Dog Star, which is the brightest star in the summer sky.

In recent years there have been many free e-cards designed to celebrate the summer solstice. It is now possible to choose from various free e-cards and send them to friends and family to mark this event. Sending free e-cards has never been easier and it is now possible to send them all over the world. By sending these free e-cards helps to celebrate the summer solstice and at the same time show your loved ones that you care about them.

With the world still reeling off the voter turnout during November’s presidential election, this year’s presidential inauguration is preparing for a star studded episode when President-Elect Barack Obama is sworn in January 20th. This year’s bash is getting even more press than ever not only because the United States will be swearing in its first African-American president but also because the country voiced its opinions, particularly those in Hollywood, unlike any other election. Want to join in on the celebration along with Beyonce, Anne Hathaway and others? Grab some Presidential Inauguration tickets today, with your best deal found at http://www.stubhub.com/presidential-inauguration-tickets/! Presidential inauguration tickets are available for both the Gala on January 19th as well as the 20th, so don’t hesitate before Hollywood’s highest rankings take your seat!

Want to make this historic event even more exciting? Celebrity icons are even getting in on the inauguration celebration – Obama’s biggest celeb supporter, Oprah, is planning an evening at the Kennedy Center January 20th. The talk show host, who was seen wiping tears from her oval eyes during Obama’s acceptance speech, has been planning her outfit for the event since he was announced as the president-elect, according to radio host Ed Lover. “I got me a board and put Barack Obama’s picture on it and I put a picture of my dress I want to wear,” she told Lover on Election Day. “Last week I said to the stylist, ‘Take it out of the closet. Let’s hang it up, and let it air out.’”

If you’re not part of Oprah’s entourage, don’t worry, there are several more options out there for anyone looking for the chance to meet Obama and first lady-to-be, Michelle. Some members of Congress, who each get a handful of the some quarter of a million tickets printed (350 for senators, 198 for representatives) are organizing lotteries to sell their tickets to the event. New York Senator Chuck Schumer has already received 100,000 proposals!

Not one to bet your way into the heart of Barack and Michelle? Do it another way – with the help of Craigslist and the chance at true love. Several individuals, including a “recently divorced, healthy, athletic, 6′ 2000-lb, very successful entertainment exec,” are looking for someone to complete them during the inauguration events. Some are even willing to go the extra mile and spend some cash on an appropriate inauguration evening gown for the 20th.

Though unconventional, for “regular” Americans, these may be your best bet. So put aside your hesitations and perhaps even your partners to get a whiff of those century old celebrations. But the President-elect isn’t keeping everything up to par with Washington’s ways, and spicing things up with his own variety show. Prince, Rihanna and Elvis Costello have been proposed to perform at the Creative Coalition event, according to People Magazine, while dozens of others are willing to help out. Beyonce even told the Associated Press that “if they need to me to volunteer…I’m there, and I’m ready.” Even if you’re all set with your Benz and serious bling, shelling out a couple thousand dollars to attend the event is still likely. Two tickets for the Creative Coalition’s Gala Inaugural Ball at the Harmann Center will cost you a mere $10,000, pocket change for Anne Hathaway, Susan Sarandon and Spike Lee, all of whom are set to attend.