Day of Black Sun

:This article is about the eclipse. For the episodes, see "The Day of Black Sun, Part 1: The Invasion" and "The Day of Black Sun, Part 2: The Eclipse". For the battle, see Invasion of the Fire Nation.
The Day of Black Sun, also known as a solar eclipse, is a recurring celestial event during which the sun is entirely blocked out by the moon, rendering all firebenders powerless. The event is only known to have occurred twice during recorded history.
== History ==
The first recorded Day of Black Sun was considered to be "the darkest day in Fire Nation history". The date upon which this phenomenon occurred was the nineteenth day of the seventh month of the cultivate rule () of the Year of the Dragon, as indicated on a paper Sokka found in Wan Shi Tong's Library.Avatar Extras for "The Library" on Nicktoons Network.
On the Day of Black Sun that occurred on the first day of the eighth month in 100 AG, the Fire Nation Capital was invaded, with the objective of quickly defeating Fire Lord Ozai and ending the Hundred Year War. However, the Fire Nation became aware of the imminent attack when Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee had infiltrated Ba Sing Se and were informed about the plans by Earth King Kuei, believing them to be allies of the Earth Kingdom. Due to this mistake, the Fire Nation was able to anticipate and prepare for the assault. The invasion force managed to reach the Fire Nation Royal Palace but were unable to escape after the eclipse ended, leading to the detainment of the adult participants while the younger members fled on Appa.
While the Day of Black Sun had been a loss for the forces storming the capital, other battles against the Fire Nation were successful, as King Bumi found the eclipse to be "the right moment to strike" and single-handedly liberated the city of Omashu, thus beginning the eventual liberation of occupied regions in the Earth Kingdom. This was also the day Zuko stood up to his father and proclaimed that he would help Team Avatar defeat him, as well as the day Iroh broke out of prison and escaped to the Earth Kingdom, paving the way for the eventual liberation of Ba Sing Se by the Order of the White Lotus.
== Appearances ==
=== Avatar: The Last Airbender ===
==== Book Three: Fire (火) ====
== Trivia ==
* Solar eclipses have no known effect on waterbending, even though the moon is out in front of the sun. However, during a solar eclipse, the moon is in the new moon phase, explaining why waterbenders would not experience the enhancing effects that the full moon provides.
* A solar eclipse is the only natural event known to leave firebenders powerless.
* The total eclipse lasts for only eight (8) minutes.
== References ==
== See also ==
* Astronomy in the World of Avatar
de:Sonnenfinsternis
es:Día del Sol Negro
fi:Mustan auringon päivä
fr:Le Jour du Soleil Noir
nl:Dag van de Zwarte Zon
pt-br:Dia do Sol Negro
ru:День Чёрного Солнца
Category:A to Z
Category:Events