Quiz of the Day
Father's Day & Summer Solstice
Sunday, 21 June 2026
Double feature — dad trivia, solstice science, longest days around the world
1. What astronomical event occurs on the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere?
- A lunar eclipse occurs
- The Earth's axis straightens
- The Earth is closest to the Sun
- The Sun reaches its highest point in the sky for the year
On the summer solstice, the Earth's axial tilt of 23.5 degrees points the Northern Hemisphere most directly toward the Sun. Counterintuitively, Earth is actually near its farthest point from the Sun in June — it is the tilt, not distance, that creates seasons.
2. How many hours of daylight does the Arctic Circle experience on the summer solstice?
- 20 hours
- 18 hours
- 22 hours
- 24 hours
On the summer solstice, everywhere north of the Arctic Circle (66.5 degrees N) experiences 24 hours of continuous sunlight — the famous 'midnight sun'. In Svalbard, Norway, the sun does not set for nearly four months.
3. In which country did the modern Father's Day originate?
- Australia
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Germany
Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, proposed Father's Day in 1910 to honour her father, a Civil War veteran who raised six children alone. It did not become a US federal holiday until 1972, 58 years after Mother's Day.
4. What is the significance of Stonehenge during the summer solstice?
- It was built as a solstice calendar
- The rising sun aligns perfectly with the Heel Stone
- The stones change colour in the solstice light
- It produces a shadow that points north
On the summer solstice, the sun rises over the Heel Stone and its rays shine directly into the heart of the monument. Thousands gather at Stonehenge each year to witness this 5,000-year-old alignment. In 2023, over 8,000 people attended.
5. What is the most popular Father's Day gift in the UK?
- Tools
- A card
- Socks
- Alcohol
Father's Day is the fourth-largest card-sending occasion in the UK. However, fathers receive far fewer cards than mothers — about 72 million Father's Day cards are sold compared to roughly 150 million for Mother's Day.
6. Approximately how long is the longest day in London on the summer solstice?
- 17 hours 45 minutes
- 15 hours 30 minutes
- 14 hours 30 minutes
- 16 hours 38 minutes
London gets about 16 hours and 38 minutes of daylight on the solstice. Compare that to Reykjavik, Iceland, which gets nearly 21 hours of sunlight, or the equator, which always has close to 12 hours year-round.
7. Which animal holds the record for the most offspring fathered by one individual?
- Male clownfish
- Emperor penguin
- Seahorse
- Genghis Khan's horse
Male seahorses are unique in the animal kingdom — they are the ones who get pregnant and give birth. A single male seahorse can carry and deliver up to 2,000 babies in one brood, making them exceptionally prolific fathers.
8. What does the word 'solstice' literally mean?
- Light return
- Summer peak
- Sun stands still
- Longest day
Solstice comes from the Latin 'sol' (sun) and 'sistere' (to stand still). Around the solstice, the Sun appears to rise and set at nearly the same points on the horizon for several days, as if pausing before reversing direction.
9. Which famous fictional father lives at 742 Evergreen Terrace?
- Homer Simpson
- Fred Flintstone
- Al Bundy
- Peter Griffin
Homer Simpson has been a TV dad since 1989, making The Simpsons the longest-running American animated programme. Creator Matt Groening named Homer after his own father. Homer's trademark 'D'oh!' was added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2001.
10. In which country do fathers traditionally carry their children on their backs in races on Father's Day?
- Thailand
- Brazil
- Japan
- Germany
In Thailand, Father's Day is celebrated on December 5, the birthday of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The traditional colour worn is yellow, and children give their fathers canna flowers, which are considered a masculine bloom.
11. How does the summer solstice differ at the South Pole compared to the North Pole?
- It happens on the same day
- The South Pole experiences its longest night
- The South Pole has no solstice effect
- Both poles experience 24-hour daylight
When the Northern Hemisphere has its summer solstice, the Southern Hemisphere has its winter solstice. Antarctica plunges into 24-hour darkness while the Arctic basks in 24-hour daylight. The seasons are perfectly opposite.
12. What is a 'dad joke'?
- A joke about parenting
- A joke told exclusively by fathers
- A wholesome pun or play on words, typically groan-worthy
- A traditional folk joke
Research from the British Psychological Society suggests dad jokes serve an evolutionary purpose: by embarrassing children with safe, mild humour, fathers help build resilience and teach kids not to take themselves too seriously.
13. Which ancient civilisation held a major summer solstice festival called Litha?
- Ancient Greeks
- Norse and Germanic pagans
- Ancient Egyptians
- Aztecs
Litha celebrations included bonfires, feasting, and gathering medicinal herbs believed to be at their most potent on the solstice. People would jump over bonfires for good luck. Many of these traditions survive in Scandinavian Midsummer festivals.
14. Who was the youngest father in documented British royal history?
- Henry VIII
- Edward the Black Prince
- Henry VII
- Edward VI
Edward the Black Prince became a father at around 25 — not unusually young for royalty. Among commoners historically, fatherhood could begin much younger. The question of youngest fathers is sensitive, but royal records offer the best-documented cases.
15. In Sweden, what is the Midsummer celebration that coincides near the summer solstice famous for?
- A 24-hour sports tournament
- Fireworks displays
- Lighting sky lanterns
- Dancing around a flower-covered maypole
Midsommar is arguably Sweden's most beloved holiday — some say more popular than Christmas. Swedes dance like frogs around the maypole, wear flower crowns, eat pickled herring with new potatoes, and drink schnapps. It is considered the most romantic night of the year.