June 1st. For some, it's the first day of summer, for others — the last month of spring? Calendar spring ends on May 31st. Astronomical — on the day of the summer solstice (June 21st). Phenological (natural) — when lilacs bloom. So what is June 1st? Let's figure it out without delving into philosophy.

Calendar

According to the Gregorian calendar we use, spring months are March, April, May. Summer months: June, July, August. Therefore, June 1st is the first day of summer. The beginning of summer. The end of spring — May 31st. This is official. Meteorologists also believe that summer begins when the average daily temperature consistently exceeds +15°C. In the central region of Russia, this usually happens in early June. So June 1st often coincides with meteorological summer.

But there are cold Junes when there is snow, and then meteorologists say: "Summer is late."

Astronomy

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 21st — astronomical spring. So from the sky's perspective, June 1st is still spring. But for ordinary people, this nuance is not important. We don't check the Earth's position when we go swimming.

By the way, in the Southern Hemisphere, June 1st is the beginning of summer. But we don't live there.

Nature

Phenological spring lasts until lilacs bloom and strawberries begin to ripen. In the Moscow region, lilacs usually finish blooming by June 10th. Strawberries ripen by the end of June. Therefore, June 1st is still blooming with black currant, golden acacia, and meadowsweet. This is a transitional period. It's not hot yet, but it's not cold. Days are long. The real summer (heat, swimming) begins after June 20th. But we still call June summer.

Because we want to.

Folklore

"With the arrival of June, spit for fishing" (fish go deep). "June warmth is better than a fur coat." "June is the color of roses, the end of spring." According to folklore, if it rains on June 1st, it will be bad for mushroom yields. If it's hot, the summer will be dry. In the folk, June 1st was called "Ivan Long" or "Ivan — honey dew" (harmful dew appears, causing grass to rot).

But this is more about summer than spring.

Psychology

For most people, June 1st is about holidays, vacations, swimsuits, barbecues. The mood is summery. Spring is associated with dirt, fatigue, avitaminosis. No one wants to prolong it. Therefore, psychologically, June 1st is the beginning of summer. Even if it's +10 and raining outside, we say: "Summer failed," not "Spring dragged on."

So the answer depends on the context. The calendar, meteorology, and psychology say that June 1st is the beginning of summer. Astronomy and phenology — that it's still spring. But the main thing is that this day is a celebration (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 you call it.

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