When is it?
We spring ahead the second Sunday in March. This year the
time change starts on Sunday, March 13 and ends Sunday, November
6. Not all states observe the time difference: Hawaii, most
of Arizona, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin
Islands opt out.
Why do we have daylight saving time?
The hope is that we save energy -- since there's less of a
need to switch on the lights if natural light will do. Studies
have shown the electricity conserved on the new schedule is
actually pretty nominal. But look on the bright side. Those
longer light-filled days are sure nice. Searches on the time
switch have increased 797% in the last week. The sunlight-deprived
would like to know "what is daylight saving time,"
"daylight saving time dates," and "origins
of daylight saving time."
What is the history of daylight saving time?
Fun fact: The idea was first floated back in 1784 by one Benjamin
Franklin. While minister of France he wrote the essay "An
Economical Project for Diminishing the Cost of Light."
The idea failed to see the light of day until practically
100 years later, when the U.S. railroads instituted a standardized
time for their train schedules. That time change was imposed
nationally during the first World War to conserve energy,
but was repealed after the war ended. It became the national
time again during World War II.
After that, it was a free-for-all of states deciding if they
wanted it, and when it would start and end. Congress finally
enacted the Uniform Time Act in 1966, which decreed that if
a state chose to opt in to daylight saving, it had to be at
the same time as everyone else.
Why does it start at 2 a.m.?
The website LiveScience explains that's it's pretty much the
least disruptive time of day to make a switch. After all,
most of us are asleep. Those who work on Sunday usually start
later than 2 a.m.
Don't lose sleep over it
While the shift is only one hour, according to Health Day,
sleep disorder specialists say you should prepare yourself:
You actually can lose sleep over the time change. Experts
suggest being well rested before the time change by getting
up and going to bed an hour earlier. Our unscientific suggestion:
On Sunday, sleep in.
