First Day of Autumn

History of First Day of Autumn

Ancient people had no modern clocks, but they could measure the hours of night and day by using geometry. People discovered that the sun rose and set at a slightly different place each day of the year. When the sun reached its northernmost point, marking the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, it was called the summer solstice. The sun’s southernmost point marked the winter solstice or the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere when the North Pole was tilted the farthest from the sun. The equinoxes occur twice yearly, and on those days, the sun rises directly in the East and sets directly in the West.

Ancient peoples used several prehistoric sites to track the sun’s position and predict equinoxes and solstices. These sites include Stonehenge and Newgrange in the U.K. and the Majorville Medicine Wheel in Alberta, Canada. For centuries people have celebrated the autumn equinox. In the Northern Hemisphere, the autumn equinox coincides with the autumn harvest, and many ancient harvest celebrations occur on or around the autumn equinox.

Two seasons can be considered autumn. One is astronomical autumn, which has to do with the Earth’s orbit around the sun, and the other is meteorological autumn, which is determined by changes in temperature. According to astronomical autumn, the seasons result from the Earth’s 23.5-degree tilt concerning its orbit around the sun. Using this method, autumn begins on September 23, 2022, and ends on December 22, 2022, when it gives way to winter. The autumn equinox is when the earth’s surface experiences 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness across one day.

First Day of Autumn timeline

147 B.C.

One Day Divided Equally into 24 Hours

Hipparchus proposed dividing the day into 24 equal hours, now known as equinoctial hours.

Late 1300s

The Word Autumn First Recorded

Legendary literally geniuses Chaucer and Shakespeare use the word ‘autumn’ in their works.

16th Century

The Word Autumn is Commonly Used

The word autumn was used from the 12th Century, but by the 16th Century, it was in everyday use.

17th Century

The New North American Colonies

Settlers spread across the U.S. taking the English language with them.

First Day of Autumn FAQs

When is First Day of Autumn?

The First Day of Autumn 2026, also known as the autumnal equinox, falls on Wednesday, September 23. This marks the moment when the sun crosses the celestial equator, heading south.

What is the autumnal equinox?

The autumnal equinox is the precise moment when the sun shines directly on the equator, resulting in nearly equal amounts of daylight and darkness across the globe. It heralds the transition from summer to autumn.

How long does autumn last?

Autumn in the Northern Hemisphere typically lasts for about 89-90 days, from the autumnal equinox on September 23, 2026, until the winter solstice around December 21. This period is characterized by falling leaves and cooler temperatures.

What is the difference between an equinox and a solstice?

An equinox occurs when the sun is directly over the Earth’s equator, resulting in nearly equal day and night hours. A solstice, conversely, is when the sun is at its furthest point north or south of the equator, leading to the longest or shortest day of the year.

First Day of Autumn Activities

Clean up your home

Cleaning up now means there will be less dust on surfaces when the weather gets cold and wet outside. So get your cleaning gear ready and get to work.

Get your furnace ready

The furnace is the most crucial part of any home heating system, so make sure it's in tip-top shape before the cold weather hits. Also, have your heating system inspected by a professional.

Prepare your clothes

Now is the time to prepare your clothes for when the temperatures drop. You can start by putting away any summer clothes that aren't going to get much use this season.

5 Fascinating Facts About Autumn

Children born in autumn may live longer

It has been found that people born in the autumn are more likely to live to 100 years old, and no, it's not just a coincidence.

Sugar in leaves affects their colors

Lots of dry weather and sunlight produce more sugars in the leaves, which lead to a brighter red, whereas colder temperatures stop the process that makes red pigments.

Birds spend most of Autumn migrating

A Swainson's Hawk can travel as far as 14,000 miles, while an Arctic Tern can cover about 44,000 miles.

It can make people depressed

Not everyone enjoys autumn as much as they do spring, and about 5% of people suffer from a type of depression known as "autumn depression."

The Earth's equator never experiences autumn

People who live very close to the equator never experience autumn — it's always warm around the equator.

Why We Love First Day of Autumn

It's a time to be thankful

The weather is cool but not cold, and the sun shines brightly during the day but with a gentle warmth that doesn't cause you to sweat. This makes autumn the perfect time to get outside, breathe deeply, and appreciate all Mother Nature has to offer.

The harvest season has begun

This is an exciting time for farmers. It is when they reap their rewards after months of hard work in the fields. This also means more variety on menus across the U.S. — and more delicious dishes for everyone to enjoy together.

It signals time to prepare for the holiday season

The first day of autumn means preparing for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other holidays. You can start preparing early and not get caught unawares.