Punxsutawney Phil, the country’s leading animal meteorologist, may have predicted a long winter, but spring is just around the corner. With it comes daylight saving time, when millions of Americans Spring Forward by turning their clocks ahead one hour.
When Does Daylight Saving Time Begin and End?
- Start: Daylight saving time begins on the second Sunday of March when clocks move forward one hour, resulting in a lost hour of sleep.
- End: The practice concludes on the first Sunday of November, when clocks “fall back” one hour, returning to standard time.
In 2025, daylight saving time will start in March, and clocks will “fall back” on Sunday, Nov. 2.
Why Do We Lose an Hour in March?
The main reason for springing forward is to extend daylight hours in the evening during the warmer months. This shift allows for longer daylight hours, which can enhance productivity, recreational activities, and energy conservation.
States That Don’t Observe Daylight Saving Time
While most states follow daylight saving time, some exceptions exist:
- Hawaii and parts of Arizona do not participate.
- The Navajo Nation, spanning across Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico, does observe the time change, making it the lone participant in Arizona.
- U.S. territories such as American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands do not observe daylight saving time.
Spring Forward with Daylight-Saving Time
Daylight saving time was first introduced in the United States in 1918 under the Standard Time Act to reduce fuel consumption during World War I. Although it was discontinued post-war, it returned during World War II.
Key Milestones:
- 1973-1975: Congress made daylight saving time permanent for two years to conserve energy during the oil embargo crisis, but it was repealed in 1974.
- 1966: The Uniform Time Act standardized daylight-saving time.
- 2005: The current observance dates—beginning on the second Sunday of March and ending on the first Sunday of November—were set by Congress.
Benefits of Daylight-Saving Time?
The Department of Transportation cites several benefits of daylight-saving time, including:
- Energy conservation by reducing the need for artificial lighting.
- Decreased traffic accidents due to increased daylight during peak travel hours.
- Reduced crime rates as more daylight can deter criminal activity.
Although daylight-saving time remains a debated practice, it continues to be a significant part of American life each year.
