Shortest day of the year 
           in the Northern Hemisphere
            The December solstice is on either December 20, 21, 22 or 23 and is the shortest day of the year – Winter solstice – in the Northern Hemisphere and the longest day in the Southern Hemisphere, where it's the Summer solstice.


The Sun's postiton
The North Pole is tilted furthest away from the Sun at the December solstice. (Not to scale)


                          
                      The Sun is directly overhead of the Tropic of Capricorn in the Southern Hemisphere during the December solstice.
The December solstice occurs when the sun reaches its most southerly declination of -23.5 degrees. In other words, when the North Pole is tilted furthest – 23.5 degrees – away from the sun.
When is the December solstice?
December Solstice in Madrid, Spain is on    Monday, 22nd December  2014, 0:03
Midnight Sun or complete darkness
Being the longest day of the year, also means that people in the areas south of the Antarctic Circle towards the South Pole will see the Midnight Sun, i.e. have 24 hours of daylight, during this time of the year.
Sunrise & Sunrise times worldwide
For people in the Northern Hemisphere, the December solstice marks the exact opposite, the day of the year with fewest hours of daylight. North of the Arctic Circle towards the North Pole there is no daylight at all during this time of the year.

Solstices importance in culture

The December solstice has played an important role in cultures worldwide from ancient times until our day. Even Christmas celebrations are closely linked to the observance of the December solstice.