Daylight savings time can be great for those who want to take advantage of the sunlight for work or leisure purposes. It’s also mandated by many states across the country.
How did daylight savings time begin and more importantly, when is it happening this year? This article will answer everything you want to know about daylight savings time.
When Is Daylight Savings Time This Year?
Daylight savings time takes place on the first Sunday in November, which is Nov. 3, 2024 — so set your clocks accordingly. Earlier this year, daylight savings time began on March 10.
Please check local regulations as the dates may vary by region.
A History: How Daylight Savings Time Came To Be
The history of Daylight Saving Time (DST) dates back over a century, rooted in the idea of making better use of daylight during the longer days of summer. Here’s a brief overview:
Early Ideas and Proposals
- Benjamin Franklin (1784): Franklin is often credited with the idea, though his suggestion was made in a satirical essay. He suggested that Parisians could save money on candles by waking up earlier to take advantage of natural daylight.
- William Willett (1907): A British builder, Willett advocated for DST in his pamphlet The Waste of Daylight. He proposed setting clocks forward during the summer to enjoy longer daylight hours and conserve energy.
The First Implementation
- Germany (1916): The first official use of DST was in Germany during World War I. On April 30, 1916, the German Empire and Austria-Hungary set their clocks forward to save fuel for the war effort by reducing the need for artificial lighting.
- Britain and the U.S.: Following Germany’s lead, Britain introduced DST in May 1916. The United States followed in 1918, but the practice was unpopular and was abandoned after the war.
Further Developments
- World War II: DST made a comeback during World War II. The U.S. and Britain reintroduced it as part of their wartime efforts to save resources.
- Post-War Era: After WWII, DST was left to the discretion of local governments in the U.S., which led to confusion as different regions adopted different schedules.
Uniform Time Act (1966)
- In response to the confusion of varied time practices, the U.S. passed the Uniform Time Act in 1966. This established a standardized start and end date for DST across the country, though states could opt out.
Modern Changes
- Energy Policy Act (2005): In the U.S., the Energy Policy Act of 2005 extended DST. Since 2007, DST starts on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November.
- Global Usage: Many countries have adopted and abandoned DST at various times. While widely used in Europe and North America, several countries in Africa and Asia do not observe DST.
The main argument for DST has historically been energy conservation, but in recent decades, its effectiveness has been debated. Some argue it disrupts sleep and health patterns and causes confusion in modern, interconnected economies.