Official Fall is Saturday, September 23, 2023

The First Day of Fall

The first day of fall is a special day, marking the transition from summer to winter. It is a time to celebrate the changing of the seasons, the beauty of nature, and the abundance of the harvest.

The first day of fall in the Northern Hemisphere is the autumnal equinox, which occurs on or around September 22nd or 23rd each year. In 2023, the autumnal equinox is on Saturday, September 23rd.

The autumnal equinox is the day when the sun crosses the celestial equator, which is an imaginary line that divides the Earth into two equal halves. On this day, the day and night are approximately equal in length all over the world.

Fall is a time of change and transition. The days become shorter and cooler, and the leaves on the trees change color. Fall is also a time of harvest, when many fruits and vegetables ripen.

Fall is caused by the tilt of the Earth's axis. As the Earth orbits the sun, its tilted axis causes the Northern Hemisphere to be tipped away from the sun during the fall months. This means that the Northern Hemisphere receives less sunlight, and the days become shorter and cooler.

To Autumn

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun; Conspiring with him how to load and bless With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;

To bend with apples the moss'd cottage-trees, And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core; To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,

And still more, later flowers for the bees, Until they think warm days will never cease, For summer has o'er-brimm'd their drowsy cells.

Who hath not seen thee oft amid thy store? Sometimes whoever seeks abroad may find Thee sitting careless on a granary floor,

Thy hair soft-lifted by the winnowing wind; Or on a half-reap'd furrow sound asleep, Drowsed with the fume of poppies, while thy hook Spares the next swath and all its twined flowers:

And sometimes like a gleaner thou dost keep Thy harvest promise to the bearded corn, And gleanest all the scattered ears of corn.

John Keats (1795-1821)

How to celebrate the first day of fall

There are many ways to celebrate the first day of fall. Here are a few ideas:

• Go for a walk or hike in nature and enjoy the changing leaves.
• Have a picnic with friends or family.
• Visit a pumpkin patch or apple orchard.
• Bake a pumpkin pie or other fall-themed treat.
• Make a bonfire and roast marshmallows.
• Read a book about fall or watch a fall-themed movie.
• Simply relax and enjoy the cooler weather.

No matter how you choose to celebrate, the first day of fall is a time to appreciate the beauty of the season and the many gifts that it brings.

Image sourced from Fish and Wildlife