Daylight saving time or the annual “spring forward” practice in the U.S. and Canada began Sunday, March 8, at 2:00 a.m. and ends on Sunday, November 1, at 2:00 a.m.
As clocks move forward by one hour, most smartphones update automatically, while analog and non-Wi-Fi digital clocks need to be set manually.
Most of the U.S. and Canada observe daylight saving time, except Hawaii and most of Arizona, though the Navajo Nation in northeastern Arizona does follow it.
Daylight Savings Adoption: A Timeline
1918 – Daylight saving time (DST) was first adopted in the U.S. to conserve fuel during World War I, according to the Congressional Research Service. Notably, Germany popularized the DST in 1916.
World War II (1939–1945) – DST was used again to conserve energy and promote national security and defense, as per the Defense Department.
1966 – Uniform Time Act sets DST start date as the last Sunday of April.
1974 – During the energy crisis, Congress experimented with year-round DST, starting first Sunday of January. The experiment ended in October 1974, with standard time resuming.
1975 – DST resumes on the last Sunday of February. After 1975, the start date returns to April.
1987–2007 – DST begins on the first Sunday of April.
2007–present – DST begins on the second Sunday of March, according to the U.S. Naval Observatory.
Impact On US Economy
The U.S. economy reportedly incurs a staggering loss of $672 million due to daylight-saving time, a phenomenon that extends beyond mere sleep disruption, according to a 2024 study conducted by Virginia-based firm Chmura.
Chmura’s research indicates that the disruption to sleep patterns leads to medical complications, traffic mishaps, and workplace injuries, all carrying economic consequences. The firm approximates that medical costs related to heart attacks triggered by the time shift total $375 million, with stroke-related expenses contributing an additional $252 million. “It’s such a huge impact,” stated Xiaobing Shuai, Chmura’s vice president of research.
Growing Calls to End Daylight Saving Time
Amid the inconvenience and public health concerns, there have been growing demands to eliminate the biannual clock adjustment, with some legislative efforts even reaching Congress. However, no action has been taken so far.
Sunshine Protection Act (2018):
- Two versions were introduced in the House and Senate to make daylight saving time permanent.
- The Senate’s fast-track attempt last year failed.
- Both bills remain in committee as of early March.
Daylight Act of 2026:
- Proposes “half-daylight saving time,” advancing clocks by 30 minutes instead of a full hour.
- Bill has been referred to the committee.
House Bills on Year-Round Time:
- Two bills would allow states to adopt year-round DST, alongside the option for year-round standard time.
- Both bills remain in committee.
State Legislation:
19 states have passed laws to make DST permanent. These states are awaiting federal approval, while many others have pending bills.
In 2024, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, appointed by President Donald Trump to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), expressed their intent to target daylight-saving time as part of their mission to eliminate government waste. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) backed Trump and Ramaswamy’s call to make daylight saving time permanent.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by a Benzinga edit
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock
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