Known for its strong economy and growing population, Thomasville is also home to a number of historic and noteworthy landmarks. Among these are...
Sunset
Twilight
Darkness
Most people know that sunset is the time when the sun goes down. But did you know that the sun doesn't actually set? Instead, Earth rotates into darkness, giving us the illusion that the sun is setting. So what causes sunset?
Well, it's a combination of things. The Earth's atmosphere scatters sunlight in every direction, but blue and violet light are scattered more than other colors. This is why the sky is usually blue during the daytime. As the sun gets lower in the sky, the atmosphere becomes thicker and more dense.
This scattering of sunlight happens to a greater extent, and we see red and orange light more than blue and violet light. That's why sunset is usually a beautiful red or orange color. So next time you see sunset, remember that you're actually seeing Earth rotate into darkness!
Thomasville, located in central North Carolina, is the largest city in Johnston County and the 36th largest city in North Carolina. Named after Revolutionary War General Thomas Sumter, the city is located in the piedmont region near the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The city is home to nearly 43,000 residents and is located about midway between the state's two largest cities, Charlotte and Raleigh. Thomasville is bordered to the west by the Yadkin River and to the north and east by the Catawba River.
As one of the state's fastest-growing cities, Thomasville has experienced steady growth over the past several decades. The city offers an array of attractions and amenities, including a newly renovated downtown district, bustling retail outlets, and a full complement of civic and cultural organizations.
While Thomasville is known for its strong economy and growing population, the city is also home to a number of historic and noteworthy landmarks. Among these are the Thomasville Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the Thomasville Sphinx, which is one of three remaining examples of the ancient Egyptian pyramids.
The first Europeans to visit the area that now comprises Thomasville were Spanish explorers in the 1570s. The area was later settled by people of the Cherokee, Catawba, and the English tribes of the southeast. The French and Indian War in the early 1700s led to the displacement of numerous white settlers, and the area remained largely unsettled for the next several decades.
When the American Revolution began in 1775, numerous Patriots traveled to the area to join the fight. General Thomas Sumter, one of the Revolution's most famous commanders, was born in what is now Thomasville in 1739. After the war, Sumter won election to the U.S. Senate and later served as the secretary of War.
In 1789, the area that now comprises Thomasville was granted to General Nathan Bedford Forrest, one of the early Confederate leaders. Forrest built a large plantation in the area and became one of the wealthiest men in the South. After the war, Forrest settled in Thomasville and continued to play an important role in local politics.
In 1877, the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad was completed, providing access to the area for industrial businesses. This event helped to spur extensive growth in the city, which continued into the early twentieth century.
Thomasville is one of the fastest-growing cities in North Carolina, and the city continues to experience steady growth. The city offers an array of amenities and attractions, including a newly renovated downtown district, bustling retail outlets, and a full complement of civic and cultural organizations.
Known for its strong economy and growing population, Thomasville is also home to a number of historic and noteworthy landmarks. Among these are the Thomasville Historic District, listed
}As the sun sets, the sky slowly grows dark. For many people, this is a time to relax and wind down for the day. But have you ever wondered exactly when it gets dark? The answer may surprise you.
Did you know that darkness actually begins long before the sun sets? As the sun gets lower in the sky, its light has to travel through more atmosphere. This filters out some of the blue light, making the sun look redder. At the same time, shadows get longer and darker. So by the time the sun finally dips below the horizon, darkness has already begun to fall.
Of course, not all places on Earth experience darkness at the same time. Near the equator, the sun sets and rises almost directly overhead. This means that there is less of a difference between daytime and nighttime. Closer to the poles, however, the sun stays low in the sky for much of the year. This leads to longer periods of darkness during wintertime.