Everything to Know About Daylight Saving 2024

Just a little more, so it’s time to jump forward!

Daylight saving time in the United States begins every year on the second Sunday in March when the clocks are moved forward one hour. (Yes, this is the one when we get extra hour of sunshine compared to the winter seasons.)

While the increased daylight is certainly cause for excitement, those who prefer their sleep may feel the opposite. Why? Because the start of daylight savings time involves moving the hands of the clock one hour more, resulting in one less hour of sleep.

But don’t worry! The extra sunlight at the end of the day is sure to help overcome that end-of-winter doldrums. Just be sure to set any clocks that aren’t on your smart device forward one hour before going to bed on Saturday night.

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Despite the practice’s century-long history of daylight saving time in the US (dating back to 1908 when it was first observed), the ritual of moving the clocks twice a year may be a thing of the past. Congress debated whether or not to keep the tradition for decades — and they continue to debate today.

“This ritual of changing the time twice a year is stupid. Locking the clock has overwhelming bipartisan and broad support,” U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. he said after the re-introduction of the Sun Protection Act on March 7, 2023.

Florida is not the only state that has advocated for permanent daylight saving time. In fact, other states have already decided to end the practice and stay on standard time throughout the year.

Here’s everything you need to know about daylight saving time in 2023, including which countries will follow it and whether this will be the last year.

When did daylight saving time start?

Daylight Savings Time may not be the most exciting day on your calendar, but it has a fascinating history.

It was first enacted by the federal government as a way to save coal during World War I in the spring of 1918 and was only meant to exist during the war. The practice was technically discontinued later that year, but many regions continued to follow it until the government eventually reinstated the measure in 1966 through the Uniform Time Act.

The next big change came in 2007 when the Energy Policy Act of 2005 “extended the length of DST in the interest of reducing energy consumption,” according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

As a result, daylight saving time is extended to about 65% of the year, starting at 2:00 AM on the second Sunday of March and ending on the first Sunday of November.

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Who is in charge of daylight saving time?

In 1966, the Department of Transportation (DOT) was given responsibility for daylight saving time and all time zones in the U.S. because “time standards are important to many modes of transportation,” according to the Department’s website.

Do all countries participate in summer time?

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States have the final say on whether to participate in daylight saving time. Hawaii and most of Arizona do not – the latter because it already receives so much sunlight. The islands of American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands also abstained.

What are the advantages of daylight saving time?

According to the DOT, daylight saving time is observed because it supposedly saves energy, reduces traffic accidents and reduces crime.

Research differs on whether or not the practice actually meets his reasoning—air conditioners have been shown to cost more energy in some areas—but at the very least, the extra hour encourages more time outside. Whether you spend it working out or sipping cocktails on the patio, a little more sun is never a bad thing.

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When is daylight saving time 2024?

Daylight Saving Time begins on March 10, 2024 at 2:00 AM Sunday morning.

Will this year be the last time daylight saving time is observed in the United States?

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For years, the U.S. Congress has debated whether to keep moving the clocks twice a year or end the national practice forever. In 1985, Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) passed legislation extending daylight saving time and again in 2005.

“Americans want more sunshine in the cold winter months, and Congress can provide it,” he said at the time. Now the lawmaker, dubbed the “Sun King,” has spoken out once again, promising that this may be the year Congress ends the time-changing ritual.

He is a co-sponsor of a bipartisan bill that would allow states to lock into permanent daylight saving time, allowing them to “leap forward” one last time and never “fall back.” The legislation is known as the Sun Protection Act, and is being spearheaded by the aforementioned Senator Rubio of Massachusetts.

“My opinion, frankly, is that the sun has no enemies,” Markey said The Washington Post, adding that moving the clocks forward permanently would allow hundreds of millions of people to enjoy more sunshine later in the day for various activities. The Senate passed the bill in March, but it died in the House because of safety and health concerns.

However, 19 states have enacted laws or passed resolutions allowing year-round daylight saving time in the past five years (if Congress allows such a change). “Because federal law does not currently allow for full-time daylight savings time, Congress would have to act before states adopt the changes,” according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education