Soon it will be March 20 and the first day of Spring, and I have always thought that March 21 was the first day of Spring. Why does Spring begin March 20th this year?

ProResearcher

The vernal equinox takes place in the northern hemisphere on March 20 at 2:55 p.m., EST Mar 19 06, 10:31 PM

echomikeromeo

The equinox is determined by where the earth is in relationship to the sun - our calendar isn't a solar calendar, and so the earth's position in space and the dates don't always match up - that's one of the reasons why we have a leap day on February 29 every four years! Mar 19 06, 10:44 PM

mementoflash

But isn't Spring's first day usually March 21st? Mar 19 06, 10:58 PM

kaylofgorons

Usually maybe, but we're trying to match up spring with a position in our orbit around the sun. The calendar and our orbit are a little out of tune, so we make adjustment every once in a while so that December doesn't end up in June, so to speak. First day of spring in the north has nothing to do with weather. My folks will still have snow for about a month. Mar 20 06, 2:44 PM

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