Summer officially ends at 3:21 p.m. Eastern time Wednesday, when the season changes.

Here are a few facts and figures related to the third season of the year.

Fall or autumn?

The season also once was known as Harvest, relating to the full harvest moon this time of year and originating from the 12th and 13th century Middle English word “haerfest,” or the act of taking in crops.

Steven Adams | Tribune-Review The harvest moon emerges Monday from the clouds over Pittsburgh.  

“Autumn,” from the Old French word “autumpne” or Latin word “autumnus,” first appeared in the English language in the late 14th century. It began to replace Harvest by the 16th century. Fall began to be favored in the 17th century. It came from the phrase “fall of the leaf.”

Off and running

Although Wednesday marks the astronomical start of fall, the meteorological season began Sept. 1. While the astronomical start is based on the position of the Sun in relation to the Earth, the meteorological season is derived from the 12-month calendar and annual temperature cycle.

1.5 billion

That’s the number of pounds of pumpkins produced annually in the U.S. Nine states produce nearly 75% of that, with Illinois by far leading the way. The other states are California, Indiana, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas.

Pa. claim to fame

The Keystone State has the longest and most varied fall foliage season in the U.S. and world, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Some 134 species of trees can be found across the state, from the coastal plain in the east to 3,000 feet above sea level in the Laurel Highlands of Western Pennsylvania.

According to the annual Fall Foliage Prediction Map from smokymountains.com, fall colors will be at their peak in Western Pennsylvania around the week of Oct. 18.

Source: Tribune-Review research

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