In case you weren’t aware, and in case you’re in need of some positive news today, I’m happy to announce that spring has now officially sprung.
Oh, and if that wasn’t enough, this is the earliest it’s come in over a century!
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So let’s all take a break from the heavy, heavy news cycle and enjoy the fact that we’ve broken free of winter’s icy hold and are now entering the months of sunshine, blooming flowers, and general positivity.
The vernal (spring) equinox, which marks the beginning of the flowery season in the Northern Hemisphere, was pretty early to the party this year.
In fact, as AccuWeather reported, March 19 marks the earliest spring in 124 years!
“The vernal equinox falling on March 19 is a phenomenon that has not occurred in the U.S. since 1896,” the report reads. “This is the same year Utah became the 45th state and automobiles became available to the public.”
This equinox normally falls on March 20 or 21, and the complicated reason it’s so early this year has to do with leap years.
As AccuWeather explained,
“This shift in timing comes from the uneven amount of days fitting into a calendar year. Each rotation of Earth takes 23 hours, 56 minutes and 4.1 seconds, and doesn’t fit exactly into a 24-hour day.”
The equinox will take place at 11:50 p.m. EDT today, and for everyone outside the eastern time zone, it will be at 10:50 p.m. CDT, 9:50 p.m. MDT and 8:50 p.m. PDT.
Whatever the reason, spring is here and people on Twitter are definitely celebrating.
This user tweeted, “Kind of hard to celebrate the first day of spring with all that’s going on, but I will try anyway. HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SPRING!”
Another added, “Spring reminds us that there is a season unto all things, a time to reap and a time to sow. Remember that this too shall pass because it always does. Send yourself some flowers today and drink in the beauty.”
The start of spring is a wonderful reminder that the world hasn’t totally stopped, even though it may feel that way right now.
“Happy Spring,” this Twitter user wrote. “Nature is unaware of #coronavirus. Enjoy nature during these times of social distancing! Go for a walk, sit outside, read a book! Watch birds at a bird feeder!”
Things may be hard right now, but it’s important we take a moment to appreciate the good when it presents itself to us.
So please take a moment today to reflect on the winter that has now passed, and look forward to the promise of spring.
And if you can, get outside to enjoy the new season, while maintaining an acceptable distance from other people of course.
