It’s that time of year again when most of the US “falls back” an hour. On the first Sunday of November, clocks are turned back to standard time, giving people an extra hour of sleep. The cycle reverses on the second Sunday of March, when clocks move forward for Daylight Saving Time (DST). Though it feels like a simple ritual, the practice has a long and contentious history.
How it all began
The idea of saving daylight dates back to World War I, when it was used in Europe and the US to conserve fuel. The current system — running from March to November — was formalized in 2007. During World War II, the US even made DST permanent to standardize time and save energy, though that ended soon after the war. A brief experiment in the 1970s, meant to tackle the energy crisis, also failed after dark winter mornings led to accidents involving schoolchildren.
Why they still do it
Not every state follows DST. Hawaii, most of Arizona, and several US territories have opted out. Still, the rest of the country continues to make the switch despite widespread frustration. Lawmakers from both parties have introduced bills to make DST permanent, but none have become law. The debate persists because there are both benefits and drawbacks: while longer evenings may reduce robberies and boost outdoor activity, the lost hour of sleep in March has been linked to more heart attacks and car accidents.
Who benefits from the extra sunlight
Energy savings, once a main justification, are now minimal. Instead, industries that rely on daylight — from golf courses to garden stores — have long lobbied to keep the system. Farmers, often mistakenly cited as supporters, actually opposed DST, saying it disrupted their schedules. The movie industry, too, disliked it because fewer people wanted to watch films when it was still light outside.
The bottom line
Despite complaints, Daylight Saving Time remains part of American life. For some, it means more time outdoors; for others, just another confusing clock change. Whether it helps or hinders depends on who you ask — but for now, the twice-yearly ritual is here to stay.
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