Daylight Saving Time Continues in 2026

When does the time change happen and what's the history behind it?

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Daylight Saving Time will continue in 2026, with clocks moving forward one hour on March 8th. This biannual time change has been a national standard since 1966, when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Uniform Time Act to conserve energy by making better use of daylight. While often associated with farmers, the practice was actually opposed by the agricultural community when it was first introduced.

Why it matters

The debate around Daylight Saving Time continues, with some states like Florida attempting to make it permanent. Understanding the history and current status of the time change is important for residents to plan their schedules accordingly and stay informed on potential policy changes.

The details

Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 8, 2026, when clocks will move forward one hour to 3 a.m. This practice of setting clocks ahead by one hour during the spring, summer, and fall months was first implemented in 1908 in Thunder Bay, Canada, with the goal of conserving energy by making better use of daylight. While often assumed to benefit farmers, the practice was actually opposed by the agricultural community when it was first introduced nationally in the United States in 1966.

  • Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
  • Daylight Saving Time ends for the year on Sunday, November 1, 2026.

The players

Lyndon B. Johnson

The 36th President of the United States who signed the Uniform Time Act in 1966, establishing Daylight Saving Time as a national standard.

Rick Scott

The former Governor of Florida who signed legislation in 2018 to make Daylight Saving Time permanent in the state, though this requires federal approval to implement.

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What they’re saying

“Many Americans wrongly point to farmers as the driving force behind Daylight Saving Time. In fact, farmers were its strongest opponents and, as a group, stubbornly resisted the change from the beginning.”

— Catherine Boeckmann (Almanac.com)

What’s next

Congress would need to approve and the President would need to sign a law for a state to stay permanently on daylight saving time, which has not happened despite repeated attempts.

The takeaway

The debate around Daylight Saving Time continues, with some states like Florida attempting to make it permanent, though this would require federal approval. Understanding the history and current status of the time change is important for residents to plan their schedules and stay informed on potential policy changes.