When Is Daylight Saving? The Facts and History of DST

Day light saving end 2024 in the spring transition to daylight saving time has long been linked with mood disorders, heart attacks and car accidents; yet its implementation remains permanent.

Many Americans mistakenly believe Benjamin Franklin created Daylight Saving Time (DST) in 1784 because he believed rising earlier would cut down on candle use.

The Facts and History of DST

As with many innovative ideas, daylight saving time first began as a joke. Benjamin Franklin proposed it in 1784 in a Journal de Paris essay as an economical means of saving on candle and lamp oil use. George Hudson of New Zealand proposed daylight saving time as an official practice in 1895 as an insect collector who believed moving clocks forward during summer would provide him with additional daylight for insect hunting activities.

Germany became the first country to introduce Daylight Saving Time (DST) in 1916, followed by Britain a month later. However, America didn’t officially adopt DST until 1918 – as a wartime measure designed to conserve fuel and power – however after WWII some states continued with DST year round.

Once confusion became so widespread, Congress adopted a law in 1966 to mandate standard time zones and starting dates for DST. Since then, DST began on the second Sunday in March and ended on the first Sunday in November.

Congress has altered the rules surrounding DST several times since 1968. In 1974, Congress moved the start date up to January 6 and in 1975 it was extended until February 23. But in 2005 the Energy Policy Act established the current dates.

The Origins of DST

Benjamin Franklin’s proposal in 1784 may come to mind when we consider Daylight Saving Time (DST). His essay suggested Parisians could reduce candle usage if they awoke early with the sun, even though this suggestion was meant as a joke; although his idea generated discussion leading eventually to DST as we know it today.

George Hudson

New Zealand was an enthusiastic collector and postal worker. His fascination with daylight led to him suggesting the clocks be set forward every summer – an idea which was initially rejected by Parliament, yet Hudson did not abandon.

In 1918, the United States first implemented Daylight Saving Time as part of their war effort and as an experiment in saving fuel. Later on in 1974 and 1975 Congress extended it further in an attempt to conserve energy resources.

Congress ultimately decided against permanent daylight saving time (DST), as this would cause great confusion within the transportation industry.

Under the Uniform Time Act of 1966, standardized DST to start on the last Sunday in April and end on the last Sunday in October; Hawaii and Arizona (other than Navajo Nation) may opt-out; otherwise all other states participate.

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The Effects of DST

Every November when we set back and “fall forward” to standard time, it marks a yearly ritual which marks spring’s arrival with sunnier days and our return to normality. While for most this simply annoys them, for others the twice-annual change could have serious health and safety repercussions.

Mental illnesses like bipolar disorder and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) may be exacerbated by changes in light levels, leading to episodes of depression after turning back the clocks. Car crashes and emergency room visits increase as do heart attacks, strokes and missed medical appointments due to this time switch.

DST may appear energy-saving at first glance, yet in actuality its use increases consumption by pushing lighting use later into the evening. Furthermore, its implementation in Europe necessitates them adjusting their electricity use accordingly and also affects airline schedules significantly – especially international travelers who must adjust accordingly.

DST may cause permanent disruptions in some people’s circadian rhythms, leading to depression, obesity, and other health problems. Although these effects generally subside within about a week of transitioning back to Standard Time (ST), some researchers believe DST could increase dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological conditions over time; the Smithsonian has an excellent article here about that matter.

The Future of DST

Arguments in support of Daylight Saving Time have become less compelling over time. According to a 2008 Department of Energy study, DST saved only 0.03 percent of energy consumption – this represents only a minor savings that may be countered by increased air conditioning usage or summer months when most people are outdoors.

Change of clocks increases heart attack risks on Monday after changing to daylight saving time (DST), especially among women and those at greater risk of cardiovascular issues, according to researchers. They suspect this is caused by more people being exposed to additional hours of daylight which puts more individuals at risk, but that this increase is reversed after DST ends in fall.

DST can make it challenging for parents to wake their children for school in the morning, according to some experts. Therefore, many people believe that DST should either be eliminated completely or moved closer in line with international times.

DST remains a contentious topic, with some states considering year-round Daylight Saving Time (DST). But for now, the official start and end dates remain in effect: clocks should be set forward at 2:00 am on the first Sunday in April until 2:00 am on October’s last Sunday (unless your state is divided into multiple time zones, in which case dates vary). For more information about its history and effects visit this Smithsonian exhibit or this online museum.

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