Manhattan solstice
n.— « I’ve heard about a “Manhattan solstice,” when the sun supposedly lines up along the streets. Is it for real? When does it happen?…On May 28 and on July 13, the sun will fully illuminate every Manhattan cross street (not the curved or angled ones) on the street grid during the last 15 minutes of daylight, and it will set on each street’s center line. The sight is breathtaking.» —“Stonehenge in the City” by Michael Pollak New York Times May 21, 2006. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
Imagine telling someone how to get to your home, but without using the name of your street, or any other street within ten miles. Could you do it? We take street names for granted, but these words are useful for far more, like applying for a job or...
If you speak a second or third language, you may remember the first time you dreamed in that new tongue. But does this milestone mean you’re actually fluent? And a couple’s dispute over the word regret: Say you wish you’d been able...
There is also a “Winter Manhattan Solstice” where this happens at sunrise, also very beautiful.