Daylight Savings Time

Daylight Savings Time 

So, what is daylight savings time anyway? How did it start? Why do we use it? What's the difference if we have it or not? If these are the questions that run through your mind when you hear “Daylight Savings Time,” you should keep reading to find out the answers. 

When and why was it started? 

According to the article “US daylight saving time: When do clocks change and why was it created?” By Josie Kao, “The modern idea of changing the clocks with the seasons can be traced back to at least the 19th century when New Zealand entomologist George Hudson proposed it to conserve energy and extend summer daylight hours, something which would have benefitted his own hobby of collecting insects after work.” This means that if it wasn’t for George Hudson, we probably never would have started changing our clocks! The article also says, “The idea was slow to gain traction until World War One when European states sought any strategies to conserve fuel. Germany was the first country to adopt daylight saving time in 1916 and the U.S. followed in 1918” This proves that daylight saving time was made to conserve daylight hours and energy. The US also began using it to benefit farmers, yet most farmers don’t agree with it because it can disrupt their schedules.

Who doesn’t have it? When does it happen?

In the same article, Josie Kao says, “Hawaii and Arizona, except the Navajo Nation, do not observe daylight saving time. American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands also observe permanent standard time.” This shows that many places don’t use daylight savings time. Daylight savings time always starts the second Sunday in March. 

As you can see, daylight savings time is used to conserve daylight hours. It happens on the second Sunday in March, and certain places use it and others don’t. As you can see, people's opinions on Daylight savings time are very diverse. 

By: Makenzie Fuller & Aliah Farmer