Daylight Saving Time Ends

Daylight Saving Time Ends

Next Daylight Saving Time Ends: Sunday, 3 November 2024. “Spring forward, Fall back.” The first Sunday of November marks the end of Daylight Saving Time in the United States and Canada. At 2 a.m., clocks will be set back one hour, resulting in shorter days and earlier darkness.

This year, Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, 3 November 2024, at 2 a.m.

In America and Canada, Daylight Saving Time begins on the second Sunday of March and concludes on the first Sunday in November, lasting about 65% of the year. Most states, excluding Arizona and Hawaii, observe Daylight Saving Time.

Daylight Saving Time in the United States

An Initial Idea

Inspired by the morning habits of Parisians, Benjamin Franklin first proposed a version of Daylight Saving Time in the United States in 1784. Initially taken as a joke, this concept wasn’t implemented until many years later.

A Wartime Necessity

During the early 1900s, Germany and Europe adopted Daylight Saving Time during World War I to conserve fuel. The United States followed suit in 1918 with the Standard Time Act of March 19, initiating Daylight Saving Time on March 31 and reverting clocks on October 27. This change was largely unpopular, and after the war, states could choose whether to continue observing it.

Daylight Saving Time was reinstated on February 9, 1942, during World War II. Known as “War Time,” this year-round observance lasted until 1945, after which some states opted to continue with summer Daylight Saving Time.

The ability for states to choose their own Daylight Saving Time led to confusion between 1945 and 1966, as policies varied widely across the country.

Timely Changes

To standardize time across the nation, the Uniform Time Act was passed in 1966, establishing a uniform system for observing time, with the option for states to opt out of Daylight Saving Time if the entire state agreed.

After years of proposals, in 2007, Daylight Saving Time was extended to begin on the second Sunday of March and end on the first Sunday in November. This has remained unchanged since then.

In recent years, there has been growing support for a year-round Daylight Saving Time, with advocates claiming modern lifestyles are not suited for clock changes in spring and fall.

What to Do When Daylight Saving Time Ends

The general guideline is to set your clocks back one hour at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in November. However, since time zones and legislation can vary by state, it’s wise to verify your state’s specific observance.

If your state follows the traditional Daylight Saving Time, you’ll enjoy the benefit of an extra hour of sleep as the clocks fall back!