Welcome the First Day of Spring to Ames

Today's day will be as long as it's night --- well almost. The equal split between daylight and night happens twice a year and this one is called the spring or vernal equinox.

It's the reason why you might see people trying to balance an egg or a broomstick but as the LA times reported in 2012 the sun's position directly over the equator will have no physical effect on this planet's objects.

All it really means is that spring has sprung. The vernal equinox starts at 6:02 a.m. today. (March 20) and from this day forward our light in a day will grow longer, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.

Many cultures host celebrations around the timing of the equinox. Easter is March 31 and the seven days of Passover begins on March 26.

Mayans celebrated with a sacrifice on a pyramid on Chichen Itza, according to the Time and Date calendar. The Mayans are gone but a shadowy snake will appear on their pyramid at the exact time of the equinox.

Here in Ames, many students will celebrate with a spring break. The Ames Public Library will present a spring break movie matinee: “Ice Age: Continental Drift” at 2 p.m. in the Ames City Auditorium.

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