Daylight saving time (DST) is a practice of shifting the clocks to make better use of daylight during the evenings. This involves moving clocks forward by one hour in spring (“spring forward”) and setting them back an hour in fall (“fall back”). In the United States, DST begins on the second Sunday of March and ends on the first Sunday of November. In 2024, these dates are March 10 and November 3, respectively. Europe follows a slightly different schedule, changing clocks on the last Sundays of March and October.
The concept of DST is often mistakenly attributed to farmers, but it was actually introduced to extend daylight hours into the evening, benefiting various industries by encouraging more post-work activities. The idea can be traced back to Benjamin Franklin, who suggested it to reduce candle usage. However, the modern practice gained traction during the Industrial Revolution to standardize timekeeping, primarily influenced by the needs of the railroad industry.
DST was first adopted during World War I by Germany to conserve energy. The United States followed suit in 1918, and although its energy-saving benefits are debated, DST remains supported by some business sectors for its potential to boost economic activity.
Despite its benefits, DST faces opposition due to its disruption of natural sleep patterns, which some research links to health risks. Efforts to abolish or make DST permanent have been made in the U.S. and Europe, with varying success. In 2022, the U.S. Senate passed a bill to make DST permanent, but it stalled in the House. Some regions, like Mexico and certain U.S. states and territories, have already opted out of DST.