AdvertisementStonehengeWorldEuropeThousands cheer as the sun rises on winter solstice at Britain’s Stonehenge
The ancient stone circle, erected between 5,000 and 3,500 years ago, was built to align with the movement of the sun on the solstices
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Thousands of people cheered and danced around Stonehenge as the sun rose over the prehistoric stone circle on Sunday, the winter solstice.
The crowds, many dressed as druids and pagans, had gathered before dawn, waiting patiently in the dark, cold field in Wiltshire, southwest England. Some sang and beat drums while others took time to reflect among the huge stone pillars.
Many make the pilgrimage to the stone circle every summer and winter and consider it a spiritual experience.
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The ancient monument, erected between 5,000 and 3,500 years ago, was built to align with the movement of the sun on the solstices, which were key dates in the calendar for ancient farmers.
English Heritage, the organisation that manages Stonehenge, said some 8,500 people celebrated Saturday at the monument on Salisbury Plain, about 120km (75 miles) southwest of London. It added that its live stream of the festivities drew more than 242,000 views from around the world.Advertisement
Sunday is the shortest day of the year north of the equator, where the solstice marks the start of astronomical winter. It is the opposite in the southern hemisphere, where it is the longest day of the year and summer will start.
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