Introduction to Daylight Saving Time
Daylight saving time is the practice of temporarily advancing clocks during the summer months by one hour so that people can make the most of the sunlight during their waking hours.
Wondering when it is time to set your clocks back this year? Daylight savings time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025. Getting an extra hour of sleep is a perk of turning back the clocks one hour in the fall, but what started the practice?
History of Daylight Saving Time
The Uniform Time Act of 1966 (15 U.S.C. §§ 260-64) established a system of uniform daylight saving time throughout the United States and its possessions, and provides that either Congress or the Secretary of Transportation can change a time-zone boundary. The act specifies that daylight time applies from 2 a.m. on the second Sunday of March until 2 a.m. on the first Sunday of November in areas that do not specifically exempt themselves.
Origin and Commerce
The origin of daylight saving time has a definite link to commerce. “In 1883, U.S. and Canadian railroads adopted a four-zone system to govern their operations and reduce the confusion resulting from some 100 conflicting locally established ‘sun times’ observed in terminals across the country,” the U.S. Department of Transportation website states. “States and municipalities then adopted one of the four zones, which were the eastern, central, mountain, and Pacific Time zones.”
Observance of DST
The observance of DST began during World War I in Europe. “Federal oversight of time zones began in 1918 with the enactment of the Standard Time Act, which vested the Interstate Commerce Commission with the responsibility for establishing boundaries between the standard time zones in the continental United States,” the DOT website states. This was the first time DST was observed in the U.S. and it was quickly repealed on Aug. 20, 1919.
Current Legislation
The National Conference of State Legislatures lists 35 states that have or are considering legislation related to daylight saving time and many other states do so each year. Saying goodbye to daylight saving time is a topic of discussion, with some proposing to make daylight saving time permanent.
Proposal to Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent
Here’s what you need to know about the proposal to make daylight saving time permanent. This proposal has been a topic of discussion in recent years, with some arguing that it would bring economic benefits and others arguing that it would disrupt traditional practices.
Conclusion
In conclusion, daylight saving time is a practice that has been observed in the United States for many years, with its origins dating back to World War I. The Uniform Time Act of 1966 established a system of uniform daylight saving time, which applies from 2 a.m. on the second Sunday of March until 2 a.m. on the first Sunday of November. With the end of daylight saving time approaching on November 2, 2025, it is essential to understand the history and legislation behind this practice. Originally Published: October 20, 2025 at 12:30 PM EDT.
FAQs
Q: When does daylight saving time end in 2025?
A: Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025.
Q: What is the Uniform Time Act of 1966?
A: The Uniform Time Act of 1966 established a system of uniform daylight saving time throughout the United States and its possessions.
Q: Why was daylight saving time first observed?
A: Daylight saving time was first observed during World War I in Europe.
Q: Are there any proposals to make daylight saving time permanent?
A: Yes, there are proposals to make daylight saving time permanent, with some arguing that it would bring economic benefits and others arguing that it would disrupt traditional practices.
