1. juni. For some, it's the first day of summer, for others — the last month of spring? Because the calendar spring ends on May 31. Astronomical — on the day of the summer solstice (June 21). Phenological (natural) — when the lilac blooms. So what is June 1? Let's figure it out without falling into philosophy.
According to the Gregorian calendar we use, spring months are March, April, May. Summer: June, July, August. Therefore, June 1 is the first day of summer. The beginning of summer. The end of spring is May 31. This is official. Meteorologists also believe that summer begins when the average daily temperature consistently exceeds +15°C. In the middle latitudes of Russia, this usually happens in early June. So June 1 often coincides with meteorological summer.
But there are cold Junes when it snows, and then meteorologists say: "Summer is late."
Astronomical summer begins on the day of the summer solstice (June 20-21). Then the sun reaches the northernmost point, the day is the longest. Until June 21 — astronomical spring. So from the sky's point of view, June 1 is still spring. But for ordinary people, this detail is not important. We don't check the position of the Earth when we go swimming.
By the way, in the Southern Hemisphere, June 1 is the beginning of summer. But we don't live there.
Phenological spring lasts until the lilac blooms and the strawberries begin to ripen. In the Moscow region, the lilac usually finishes blooming by June 10. Strawberries ripen by the end of June. Therefore, June 1 is still blooming with black cherry, yellow acacia, meadowsweet. This is a transitional period. It's not hot yet, but it's not cold either. Days are long. True summer (heat, swimming) begins after June 20. But we still call June summer.
Because we want to.
"June has come — spit on fishing" (the fish go to the depths). "June heat is better than a fur coat." "June — roses are red, spring is over." According to folklore, if it rains on June 1, it will be bad for mushroom harvest. If it's hot, summer will be dry. In the folk, June 1 was called "Ivan Long" or "Ivan – honey dew" (harmful dew appears, which makes grass rot).
But this is more about summer than spring.
For most people, June 1 is holidays, vacations, swimsuits, barbecues. The mood is summery. Spring is associated with dirt, fatigue, avitaminosis. No one wants to prolong it. Therefore, psychologically, June 1 is the beginning of summer. Even if it's +10 and raining outside, we say: "Summer didn't work out," not "spring has stretched on."
So the answer depends on the context. The calendar, meteorology, and psychology say that June 1 is the beginning of summer. Astronomy and phenology — that it's still spring. But the main thing is that this day is a holiday (Children's Protection Day), not a subject of dispute. Go out into the street, enjoy the sun (if it's there). And it doesn't matter what it's called.
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