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Daylight Savings Time begins every 2nd Sunday of March, signaling the start of longer, brighter evenings. This annual tradition of ‘springing forward’ by one hour aims to maximize natural daylight, influencing everything from energy consumption to our daily routines. Prepare for the shift by adjusting your sleep schedule, checking your clocks, and embracing the extra evening light.
Want to sponsor Daylight Savings? Learn how
Expected Daylight Savings Deals
As Daylight Savings approaches, retailers often highlight products that help ease the transition or leverage the extended daylight. Look for deals on smart home lighting from brands like Philips Hue and LIFX, designed to adjust automatically with time changes. Sleep aid companies such as Casper and Tempur-Pedic may offer promotions on mattresses and pillows to help with sleep cycle adjustments. Home improvement stores like The Home Depot and Lowe’s could feature sales on outdoor lighting and patio furniture, encouraging enjoyment of longer evenings. Additionally, energy-efficient appliance brands like GE Appliances and Samsung might promote products that help reduce utility costs. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as March 8 approaches.
Platform Guide for Daylight Savings
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #DaylightSavings. Share tips for adjusting to the time change, from sleep hacks to making the most of longer evenings.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #DaylightSavings. Post polls asking followers if they love or hate DST, or share historical facts about its origins.
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Mention @NatlToday and use #DaylightSavings. Share quick facts, energy-saving tips, or engage in discussions about the future of DST.
Daylight Savings Hero
Benjamin Franklin
History of Daylight Savings
Benjamin Franklin came up with the notion of resetting clocks in the summer to save electricity. People could use the extra evening daylight instead of wasting energy on illumination by setting the clocks forward. Announcing his ‘finding’ that the sun delivers light as soon as it rises, Franklin penned a humorous letter to the “Journal de Paris” in 1784.
But it was William Willet, an Englishman, the first true proponent of Daylight Saving Time. It came to him early one morning in 1907 while riding his horse. Despite the rising sun, he noted that many houses’ shutters were tightly sealed. Every four Sundays in April and September, Willet spent tens of thousands of dollars pushing businessmen, politicians, and members of the U.S. Congress to move forward 20 minutes. But his plan was largely mocked. The practice was condemned as a sin by one group.
Years later, Daylight Saving Time was finally implemented. During World War I, Germany instituted Daylight Saving Time in May 1916. Soon after, the rest of Europe joined in. So did the U.S. in 1918. President Woodrow Wilson wanted to preserve Daylight Saving Time after W.W.I. ended, in part, because farmers would lose an hour of morning light. Until the next war, Daylight Saving Time was eliminated. Roosevelt declared ‘War Time’ on February 9, 1942, when the war began.
Daylight Saving Time was implemented in all U.S. states and towns after W.W.I.I., causing confusion. That’s why Congress passed the Uniform Time Act in 1966 to control the ‘Wild West.’ Daylight Saving Time began on the first Sunday in April and ended on the last Sunday in October under federal legislation. With the Energy Policy Act of 2005, Daylight Saving Time was extended to the present time in 2007.
Daylight Savings timeline
The United States begins using Daylight Saving Time.
Congress approves the Uniform Time Act, which mandates that Daylight Saving Time be observed throughout the United States.
By signing into law the Energy Policy Act, Congress creates Daylight Saving Time.
The Energy Policy Act goes into effect.
How Businesses Can Celebrate Daylight Savings
Local businesses can help customers adjust to Daylight Savings by offering special promotions or services. Coffee shops might offer early bird discounts on Sunday morning, while gyms could promote morning fitness classes to help reset internal clocks. Retailers selling sleep aids, smart lighting, or home goods can highlight products that ease the transition. Businesses should also ensure their internal systems and time clocks are updated to avoid operational disruptions.
Daylight Savings FAQs
When is Daylight Savings?
In 2027, Daylight Savings Time starts on Sunday, March 14, marking the annual transition to extended daylight hours. Remember to set your clocks forward one hour.
Which countries observe Daylight Savings Time?
While many nations have debated or abolished DST, around 70 countries, including the majority of the United States and Canada, continue the practice in 2027. Some regions within these countries may opt out.
What are the benefits of Daylight Savings Time?
The primary benefits cited for DST include potential energy conservation, increased opportunities for evening recreation and commerce due to extended daylight, and a perceived improvement in public safety by reducing evening darkness.
Is Daylight Savings Time permanent in the US?
As of 2027, the United States continues to observe the biannual shift between Daylight Savings Time and Standard Time. Despite ongoing discussions and proposed legislation, a permanent, year-round DST has not been enacted federally.
Daylight Savings Activities
Advance the clock
For Daylight Saving Time Starts, gather your family members and all the clocks in your home and change the time by an hour. You can reward your clock assistants for setting the time by giving them a treat, such as cookies.
Countdown to Daylight Saving Time with a party
This is a terrific reason to gather your friends together and throw a party. Just like on New Year's Eve, you and your companions can remain up late and keep track of the passing seconds.
Dispose of your winter wear
Pull out all of your winter clothing from your closet. Donate or give away as much of it as possible, and pack the rest aside for safekeeping until next year. Having a fully-stocked spring wardrobe is sure to lift your spirits and get you pumped for the season.
5 Places Daylight Savings Occurs
Canada
Daylight Saving Time is observed in nine of Canada's 10 provinces with some sections of British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Northwest Ontario, and eastern Quebec being among the provinces and territories in Canada that observe standard time throughout the year.
United States
Only a few states, including Hawaii and Arizona, observe Daylight Saving Time at different times of the year.
Europe
Except for Russia, Iceland, and Belarus, most European countries observe Daylight Saving Time.
Australia
Because Australia is such a large country, it does not observe Daylight Saving Time uniformly: New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and the Australian Capital Territory do observe Daylight Saving Time, while Queensland and the Northern Territory (Western Australia) do not observe it.
Southern Africa
Southern Africa set their clocks forward an hour in observance of Daylight Saving Time.
Why We Love Daylight Savings
It reduces accidents
According to studies, Daylight Saving Time helps to enhance road safety by lowering the number of pedestrian fatalities during the dawn and evening hours. It also lowers the rate of car accidents that occur.
It results in reduced robberies
Daylight Saving Time promotes safety. A study discovered a decrease in robberies following the springtime changeover to Daylight Saving Time.
More time for recreational activities
As a result, when we move our clocks forward an hour in the spring, we gain an extra hour of natural daylight in the afternoon. Proponents of Daylight Saving Time believe that longer evenings encourage people to go out of their homes. Outdoor activities, such as golf, soccer, baseball, running, and other sports might benefit from the extra hour of daylight.
Social Media Tips for Daylight Savings
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