Daylight Saving Time (DST) will begin in 2025, with clocks moving forward an hour in the US on March 9 and in Europe on March 30. DST, aimed at extending evening daylight, has roots tracing back nearly 200 years, gaining traction during World War I when Germany first implemented it in 1916. Despite its initial purpose of energy conservation, DST has faced criticism for increasing costs, disrupting sleep, and leading to health issues and productivity losses. Former President Donald Trump suggested abolishing DST, calling it an unnecessary financial burden on Americans. Some regions, such as Hawaii and most of Arizona, do not observe DST.
Daylight Saving Time 2025: As spring approaches, Daylight Saving Time (DST) will officially commence in various countries worldwide. This practice involves setting the clocks forward in the summer months to extend evening daylight. Typically, clocks are turned back an hour in autumn, while in spring, they are advanced by an hour.
When do clocks advance in the US and Europe?
DST will be implemented in North America on Sunday (March 9), with clocks moving forward an hour at 2 AM local standard time, meaning that at 2 AM that night, the time will read 3 AM local daylight time. In most European countries, DST will begin on March 30.
History of Daylight Saving Time
The origins of DST can be traced back nearly 200 years, though it gained serious consideration during World War I. The concept was first introduced by Benjamin Franklin in the 18th century when he observed that rising earlier allowed for energy savings.
The large-scale adoption of DST took place during World War I as a fuel conservation measure. Germany initiated DST in May 1916, and soon after, other European nations followed. The US also adopted DST in 1918.
Initially unpopular in the US, DST was abolished post-war but was reinstated during World War II. It became a permanent fixture in 1966 with the Uniform Time Act, although states had the option to opt-out.
While most areas in the US will spring forward by an hour, several locations, including Hawaii, most of Arizona, the Navajo Nation, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands, will not observe the time change.
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Criticism of Daylight Saving Time
A significant criticism of DST is its potential cost implications regarding energy use, health, and productivity. Although it was originally designed to conserve energy, the extended daylight often results in higher cooling expenses. Additionally, the clock change disrupts sleep patterns, leading to health issues, reduced productivity, and operational inefficiencies in fields such as transportation and technology.
US President Donald Trump suggested eliminating the “inconvenient” practice of advancing clocks each spring, claiming it imposes an unnecessary financial burden on Americans.
“The Republican Party will use its best efforts to eliminate Daylight Saving Time, which has a small but dedicated support base, yet shouldn’t remain! Daylight Saving Time (DST) is inconvenient and costly to our Nation,” Mr. Trump expressed on Truth Social last year.