Spring Facts

The vernal equinox, which occurs on March 20 or 21 each year and signals the start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, is also the autumnal equinox—the first day of autumn—in the Southern Hemisphere. Conversely, the autumnal equinox in the north, which occurs in late September, is the first day of spring south of the equator.

If you were standing on the equator during either the vernal or autumnal equinox, you would see the sun pass directly overhead, the only two times in the year when that is true.

The two equinoxes are also the only times during the year when the sun rises due east and sets due west.

Songs About Spring

In Led Zeppelin's "Rain Song," the first verse pays homage to the season of spring.

Van Morrison's "Celtic Spring" references spring throughout its chorus.

Legendary jazz vocalist Billie Holiday chants about love in the song "Some Other Spring."

Frank Sinatra is suddenly young and free in his song "Suddenly It's Spring."

Nina Simone has spring fever in "It Might as Well be Spring."

Tom Waits remembers everything that spring brings in "You Can Never Hold Back Spring."

Lead vocalist of Swedish band Flunk sings about his kiss in "Spring to Kingdom Come."

Folk songstress Dar Williams starts over on "Spring Street," where she's welcome any time.

Flower Facts

Did you know that when the tulip flower first arrived in Europe, the English tried serving them with oil and vinegar and the Germans boiled and sugared the bulbs?

In the Victorian language of flowers the Hyacinth flower symbolizes sport or play, and the blue Hyacinth signifies sincerity.

Daffodils were brought to Britain by the Romans who thought that the sap from Daffodils had healing powers. Actually the sap contains crystals that can irritate the skin.