Midsummer Day and St. John’s Day June 24
Bonfires and baptisms
Long ago, people in Europe worshiped the sun. So the return of summer
was a time of great rejoicing. The people lit bonfires— symbols of the
sun—and celebrated all night and into the next day.
This time was known as Midsummer Eve (June 23) and Midsummer Day (June
24). This, of course, is not midsummer—for summer begins on June 20 or
21. Why it was called midsummer we can’t be sure. Perhaps it is because
this is the time of year when the sun is at its highest point in the sky
and the days are longest.
Years later, the early Christian church chose Midsummer Day as the birth
date of Saint John the Baptist. This man has long been thought of as one
of the greatest saints. It was he who told of the coming of Christ. He
was given the name John the Baptist because he baptized
people—including Jesus.
People in many Christian countries have celebrated St. John’s Day for
hundreds of years. These celebrations are a curious mixture of old and
new customs. As in olden times, there are bonfires. But these are now
called St. John’s Fire. And, of course, there is a great deal of
merrymaking.
In San Juan, Puerto Rico, bonfires blaze on the beaches on St. John’s
Eve. Between midnight and dawn, the people swim in the
sea, in memory of the saint who baptized people in the water. And Puerto
Ricans in New York City take part in a gala San Juan Fiesta on the
Sunday closest to June 24.
In Quebec, Canada, the Fete de Saint-Jean- Baptiste, also called Fete
Nationale des Quebecois, or Quebec National Day, is an important
holiday. There are bonfires, fireworks, parades, and carnivals.
In New Mexico, American Indians celebrate the saint’s birthday with corn
dances. And throughout Mexico, fiestas fill the day Mexicans call Dia
de San Juan.
Pueblo Indians in New Mexico celebrate the festival of Saint John the
Baptist with a centuries-old corn dance.
