St John's Day, also known as Midsummer, is observed on June 24 and celebrates the feast day of Saint John the Baptist. This holiday has roots in ancient Midsummer celebrations tied to the summer solstice, believed to be a time when evil spirits roamed freely, prompting people to light bonfires for protection. As Christianity spread, many pagan customs merged with this new religious observance, with bonfires remaining a central tradition in many countries. St John's Day is particularly popular in Northern Europe and is also celebrated in the United States, Canada, and parts of South America. Celebrations often begin on St John's Eve and include bonfires, parades, dancing, and singing. It is a public holiday in the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, as well as in Quebec, Canada, where John the Baptist is the patron saint of French-Canadians.