Unveiling the Fascinating Story Behind the US' Daylight Saving Time Phenomenon

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Its almost time for clocks to "fall back" one hour.

On the second Sunday of March, at 2 a.m., clocks in most of the United States and many other countries advance one hour and remain there for approximately eight months during Daylight Saving Time. On the first Sunday of November, at 2 a.m., clocks retreat one hour to standard time.

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The US started following the current March to November system in 2007, but the idea of "saving daylight" is much older. Daylight Saving Time originated from train schedules and was implemented in Europe and the United States during World War I with the aim of conserving fuel and power, as stated by the US Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

Pro tip: It is called Daylight Saving Time, using the singular form of "saving," not "savings."

Reasons for Daylight Saving Time

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The US implemented permanent Daylight Saving Time during World War II to save fuel and establish consistency. In 1945, as the war ended, Gallup conducted a survey asking respondents about their preference for timekeeping. Only 17% supported the continuation of "war time" throughout the year.

In response to the energy crisis in the 1970s, the US once again experimented with permanent Daylight Saving Time during the winter of 1973-1974, with the aim of conserving fuel. This decision gained significant popularity after President Richard Nixon signed it into law in January 1974. However, by the end of the month, the governor of Florida called for the repeal of the law following multiple accidents involving schoolchildren in the dark. Schools across the country adjusted their start times until sunrise for safety reasons.

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Public approval had plummeted by summer, leading Congress to vote in early October to switch back to standard time. In the US, states have the option to not observe Daylight Saving Time, including Hawaii, most of Arizona, and certain territories in the Pacific and Caribbean. The twice-yearly time change has caused frustration among lawmakers of all political affiliations, prompting the US Senate to pass a bill in March 2022 that proposes making Daylight Saving Time permanent. The bill received unanimous consent and would require approval from the House of Representatives and President Joe Biden to be enacted into law.

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The bill that proposed the end of clock switching in favor of permanent Daylight Saving Time was not voted on by House lawmakers in 2022. Nevertheless, a bipartisan group of twelve senators reintroduced the legislation on March 2. Additionally, Rep. Vern Buchanan, a Republican from Florida, introduced companion legislation known as the Sunshine Protection Act in the House.

Why do we need Daylight Saving Time

Over the past 25 years, extensive research has demonstrated that the alteration of our clocks by one hour significantly disturbs our body's natural rhythms that are synchronized with Earth's rotation. This finding further contributes to the ongoing discussion regarding the merits of implementing Daylight Saving Time in any manner.

The problem is that every argument has a counterargument. For instance, there are studies indicating that car accidents increase when people get an hour less of sleep. However, there are also studies suggesting that robberies decrease when there is an extra hour of sunlight in the evening. Moreover, it is widely known that there is a higher incidence of heart attacks at the beginning of Daylight Saving Time. But what about our mental well-being? It appears that people tend to be happier when there is an additional hour of daylight.

Additionally, let's consider the economic factor, which funds all the outdoor activities during sunny hours. Although energy conservation has often been cited as a rationale for implementing Daylight Saving Time, the actual amount of energy saved is minimal or negligible.

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The push for Daylight Saving Time primarily came from various sectors of the economy. Lobbyist groups representing the recreational sports industry, such as driving ranges, aimed to attract more customers in the evenings by extending daylight. However, the movie industry was not in favor of Daylight Saving Time, as it hindered attendance during daylight hours. Contrary to popular belief, even farmers were not fond of this practice as it posed challenges in transporting their goods to the market in the morning.

Result: The main point is the uncertainty of whether the extra hour of sunlight in the evening or morning is beneficial, as it varies depending on individual preferences and needs. Interestingly, it seems that Daylight Saving Time in the US is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. It is worth mentioning that on March 2, the Sunshine Protection Act was reintroduced in the US Senate, along with similar legislation in the House of Representatives. This report was revised with contributions from Saffeya Ahmed, Harry Enten, Sandee LaMotte, and Ali Zaslav.