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Longest Day at Stonehenge, Wiltshire
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Longest Day at Stonehenge, Wiltshire
People gathering at Stonehenge, Wiltshire on the longest day of the year, on or near 21 June 1912. This photograph shows a daybreak pilgrimage by members of The Universal Bond of the Sons of Men, or Church of the Universal Bond. This was a religious group founded in Britain in the early 20th century by George W MacGregor Reid, promoting socialist revolution, anti-imperialism and sun worship. By 1912 Reid was becoming attracted to Druidism, especially as Stonehenge was at the time regarded as a solar temple. His church began holding rituals there, and this continued until the site was given to the state in 1918. When the growing Stonehenge free festival caused the monument to be closed at midsummer in 1985, the Church faded into obscurity but has maintained a presence at the reopened solstice festivities since 2000
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Media ID 4418857
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Annual Anti Bond Ceremony Circle Cult Custom Day Break Druid Druids Festival Founded Gathering Imperialism Longest Macgregor Members Morning Pilgrimage Pilgrims Plain Promoting Reid Revolution Salisbury Sight Seeing Sightseer Sightseers Socialist Solstice Sons Stone Henge Sun Rise Tourist Tourists Tradition Traditions Universal Wiltshire Worship Yearly Druidry
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> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> Wiltshire
> Salisbury
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> Heritage Sites
> Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated
> Historic
> Cultural festivals and traditions
EDITORS COMMENTS
Longest Day at Stonehenge, Wiltshire (1912): A Gathering of Faith and Tradition This evocative photograph captures the sunrise on the longest day of the year at Stonehenge, Wiltshire, on or near 21 June 1912. The scene is set at the ancient monument, a site of profound historical and cultural significance, where a group of people have gathered for a daybreak pilgrimage. These individuals are members of The Universal Bond of the Sons of Men, or Church of the Universal Bond, a religious group founded in Britain in the early 20th century. The Church, led by George W. MacGregor Reid, promoted socialist revolution, anti-imperialism, and sun worship. By 1912, Reid's interest in Druidism was growing, and Stonehenge, then regarded as a solar temple, became a focal point for their rituals. This tradition continued until the site was given to the state in 1918. As the sun begins to rise, the pilgrims, dressed in Edwardian attire, form a circle around the monument, their faces uplifted towards the sky. The scene is a striking contrast to the modern-day tourist crowds that now flock to Stonehenge for sightseeing. The image evokes a sense of tradition, spirituality, and the enduring connection between people and the ancient sites of their past. Despite the Church's eventual fade into obscurity, its members have maintained a presence at the reopened solstice festivities since 2000. This photograph offers a glimpse into a unique moment in history, when the lines between ancient tradition and modern spirituality blurred, and the pilgrims' faith and devotion were brought to life against the backdrop of the rising sun.
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