I just found out that spring recently passed through here in the United States. It turns out that spring always begins around March 20th, although technically it can vary by a day or two depending on the time zone. This year it was on Friday the 20th at 10:46 a.m. Eastern Time.

What surprises me is that spring only lasts about three months, nothing more. It starts with the equinox in March and ends on June 20th when summer begins. During those months, everything happens: temperatures rise, trees bloom, animals reproduce or migrate. It’s basically nature waking up after winter.

Now I understand why the date when spring begins isn’t exact every year. It has to do with the fact that the astronomical year doesn’t perfectly match the Gregorian calendar, so every now and then a few days are added or subtracted. That’s why in the Northern Hemisphere it can start on March 19th, 20th, or 21st depending on the year. Pretty interesting how Earth and the calendar don’t align perfectly, right?