Daylight savings ended on Sunday, November 5 and returns this Sunday, March 9. Daylight savings time occurs as an annual initiative to achieve longer evening daylight by advancing the clocks an hour ahead of standard time in the United States.
It commences on the second Sunday of March each year and always ends on the first November Sunday. Most clocks change automatically at 2 AM local time.
The entire rationale of daylight savings is that industrialized societies follow a standard schedule that doesn’t change, such as working 9-5 or class from 8-3. However, the solar time is constantly in flux and affects the amount of daylight we have. The goal of daylight savings is to offer up more sunshine after the workday.
Ironically, the idea was first proposed in 1784 by Benjamin Franklin to preserve candle usage by aligning clocks with sunlight times. The idea was rejected and wasn’t implemented in the U.S. until 2007.
When does daylight savings time begin?
Daylight savings begins on Sunday, March 9.
Do we gain or lose an hour of sleep?
The beginning of daylight savings means the clocks need to be set forward one hour. Since the time will “move forward” we’ll lose 1-hour of sleep this weekend. This also means there will be less light in the morning until late April, but the days will be longer.
How to adjust my clock for daylight savings
Most clocks will adjust automatically, but appliances usually need the time reset. Since the time is moving forward 1-hour, simply reset your clocks an hour ahead in time. This means 8 AM becomes 9 AM, 12 PM becomes 1 PM, etc. You can also check the time on your phone and adjust the clocks accordingly.
Sunshine Protection Act
The United States is one of the few countries that implements daylight savings time changes. Most of the world doesn’t, and many are petitioning to make The Sunshine Protection Act a federal law. It would make daylight savings time permanent and eradicate the bi-annual time change that Americans experience.
In 2022 the act did not pass and has remained idle in congress since.