Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Solstices occur when the Earth's rotational axis is tilted directly toward or away from the Sun, resulting in the longest and shortest days of the year.
The seasons and solstices are exactly reversed between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze the solstice dates:
1. June 21st: The North Pole is tilted closest to the Sun, causing the Summer Solstice (longest day) in the Northern Hemisphere and the Winter Solstice (shortest day) in the Southern Hemisphere.
2. December 21st: The South Pole is tilted closest to the Sun, receiving maximum solar radiation.
This results in the Summer Solstice (longest day of the year) in the Southern Hemisphere, and the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.
3. March 21st and September 23rd: These are equinoxes, when the Sun is directly over the equator and day and night are equal globally.
Step 4: Final Answer:
The correct option is 1, which corresponds to \(21^{\text{st}}\) December.