Autumn Equinox 2026 Arrives on September 23
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Summer ends on 23 September 2026. This day is called the equinox. It is the start of a new season: autumn.
Many people think summer ends on 21 September. But in 2026, it ends two days later, on 23 September. This happens because of astronomy.
The equinox happens two times every year. One is in spring. One is in autumn. On these days, day and night are almost the same length.
This happens because of how the Earth moves around the Sun. The Earth also turns on its axis. This axis is a little bit tilted.
People have celebrated the change of season for a very long time. Old traditions connect to the equinox. Many cultures have special days or festivals for it.
After the equinox, days become shorter. Nights become longer. This continues until winter.
Vocabulary15 words
- equinox
- a day when day and night are the same length
- astronomy
- the study of stars, planets, and space
- Earth
- the planet where we live
- Sun
- the star that gives light and heat to Earth
- axis
- an imaginary line a planet turns around
- tilted
- not straight; a little bit to one side
- traditions
- old customs people do every year
- cultures
- groups of people with their own customs
- festivals
- special days people celebrate together
- season
- one of four parts of the year, like summer or winter
- autumn
- the season after summer, before winter
- spring
- the season after winter, before summer
- winter
- the coldest season of the year
- summer
- the warmest season of the year
- day
- the time with light, before night
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Quiz
Answer key
1. 23 September 2. A day when day and night are equal 3. False
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Summer ends on 23 September _____. This day is called the _____.
Many people think summer ends on 21 September. But in 2026, it ends two days later, because of _____.
The equinox happens two times every year: in spring and in _____. On these days, day and night are almost the same _____.
This happens because of how the _____ moves around the Sun and turns on its _____.
People have celebrated the change of _____ for a very long time. Old _____ connect to the equinox.
After the equinox, days become _____ and nights become longer.
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