Daylight savings time (DST) is a practice adopted by various countries around the globe, including the United States, where clocks are set forward by one hour during the warmer months to extend the evening daylight. This shift aims to provide additional daylight during the hours when most people are awake and active, theoretically saving energy and offering more time for outdoor activities. The concept of daylight saving has been subject to debate and legislation over the years, with changes in its implementation reflecting different energy policies and social preferences.
When is daylight savings time in the United States? Daylight savings time in the United States begins on the second Sunday in March, when clocks are set forward by one hour at 2:00 AM local standard time, which becomes 3:00 AM local daylight time. The period of daylight savings time extends until the first Sunday in November, when clocks are set back by one hour at 2:00 AM local daylight time, reverting to 1:00 AM local standard time. These dates are established by the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which extended the duration of daylight saving time in an effort to save energy. As a result, most areas of the United States now observe daylight saving time from March to November, with the exception of Arizona and Hawaii, which do not participate in the practice.
The current schedule for daylight savings time has been in effect since 2007, following the aforementioned Energy Policy Act. It’s important to note that while the practice is widely observed, it has its critics who argue about its actual energy savings and impact on health. Regardless, daylight savings time remains a significant part of the annual schedule for most of the United States, marking a period of longer daylight hours in the evenings and a shift in daily routines for millions of Americans.