Summer Solstice (Litha) 11 years ago -- celebrated at Stonehenge, Wiltshire, England (BBC report)

posted on BBC World News (June 21, 2014): 

An estimated 37,000 people gathered to watch the sun rise on the longest day 

of the year, with a small number of arrests reported by police. Wiltshire Police 

said the 25 arrests were mostly for drugs-related offences. 

 Druids and pagans are among those who mark the summer solstice at sites 

such as Stonehenge and Avebury. "We are pleased that the solstice celebrations 

have been enjoyable events for the majority of people attending," 

said a spokesman for Wiltshire Police. People prepare for 

the summer solstice dawn celebrations Druids, pagans and revellers gathered at the monument to wait for the sunrise 

Revellers watch as the sun rises over the standing stones at the prehistoric monument Stonehenge 

Many waited patiently for the first rays of the sun to emerge on the horizon 

 Revellers perform yoga as they celebrate the summer solstice; 

 Some in attendance performed yoga en masse as the sun rose; 

Revellers dressed in Aztec costume celebrate the summer solstice; 

Others chose to adorn flamboyant Aztec costumes, along with smartphones; 

People take part in the summer solstice dawn celebrations; 

 The solstice sunrise marks the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. 

The Summer Solstice or Litha

which means a stopping or standing still of the sun - has a long tradition of attracting people to monuments to witness the sun rising on the longest day. 

 Police said the road system had worked well with "minimum delays" 

and many people used public transport . 

 "It is always a pleasure to see 

so many people enjoying the event," said the spokesman.