When do we “revert” to summer time 2024 and why does the time change twice a year?

The end of Daylight Saving Time is upon us, meaning clocks across most of the United States will go “back” by one hour on Sunday, November 3, 2024. Here's what you should know about Daylight Saving Time and why we change our clocks twice a year.

When is summer time?

Daylight saving time, when we set our clocks forward one hour, began on March 10 this year. Daylight saving time ends on November 3rd when clocks go back one hour.

The change will take place at 2 a.m. local time.

At 1:59:59 a.m. on November 3rd, your digital clocks, like those on your cell phone, will not jump to 2 o'clock, but will fall back to 1 o'clock. You will need to reset your analog clocks and any other clocks that do not adjust automatically.

That means we gain an hour – in contrast to Spring change during daylight saving time, when we lose an hour of sleep. This means that the sun sets an hour earlier in the evening and rises an hour earlier in the morning.

For example, in New York City, the sun sets at 5:50 p.m. on November 2nd, but the following day, when Daylight Saving Time ends on November 3rd, the sun sets at 4:49 p.m

The history of summer time

According to the US Astronomical Application Department, part of the US Naval Observatory, time zones in the US were established by the Standard Time Act in 1918, which also established daylight saving time. The law was so controversial that daylight saving time was repealed in 1919, reinstated during World War II, and later became a state and local decision.

However, the Uniform Time Act of 1966 made it a federal law again, although the start and end dates have changed over the years. Since 2007, Summer time In the United States, it begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November.

While the idea of ​​changing clocks to rely more heavily on sunlight is often attributed to Ben Franklin, the Franklin Institute disputes this, saying he merely suggested that people in Paris change their sleeping habits to save money for candles and Save lamp oil.

The institute recognizes New Zealand entomologist George Hudson, who introduced the idea in 1895 because he wanted more daylight in the evenings.

However, the National Conference of State Legislatures attributes the idea to the British builder William Willett. While Hudson wanted more daylight for insect hunting, Willett, it is said, wanted more daylight so he could play more golf.

Which states don't observe daylight saving time?

Hawaii and most of Arizona do not change their clocks to daylight saving time, instead sticking exclusively to standard time.

Most countries in Europe and North America observe daylight saving time, although not all follow the exact same schedule. Many countries in the Southern Hemisphere also do this, but their timing is different because their summer falls during our winter months.

Will the practice of changing clocks to daylight saving time ever end?

In 2022 The Senate agreed a bill called the Sunshine Protection Act that would make daylight saving time permanent. The bill was supported by 17 bipartisan co-sponsors, including Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, who has long advocated that we stop “falling back” in November and keep daylight saving time year-round.

“This ritual of changing the time twice a year is stupid. Blocking the clock has overwhelming support from both parties and the public. I hope we finally get that done in this Congress,” Rubio, a Republican, said in a statement.

Rep. Vern Buchanan, also a Republican from Florida, introduced a similar bill in the House of Representatives, saying implementing daylight saving time would have “tremendous health and economic benefits.”

However, Time is up on the House bill in 2023 after being referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Subcommittee on Innovation, Data and Commerce.