TIME WARS: AMERICA’S LOVE-HATE RELATIONSHIP WITH DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME
As winter’s long nights fade into memory, it’s time once again for America’s most controversial tradition—changing the clocks. On Sunday, clocks across the U.S. will leap forward from 1:59 a.m. to 3 a.m., stealing an hour of sleep but promising longer, sun-soaked evenings. Love it or hate it, daylight saving time is here.
HOW LONG WILL THE TIME SWITCH LAST?
Daylight saving time will stretch from this Sunday until November 2, 2025. Standard time, which just wrapped up, had been in effect since last November. While the fall clock change gifts us an extra hour of sleep, spring forward snatches it back, trading morning light for golden evenings.
But why do we still do this? And is there an end in sight to the biannual time travel?
THE ORIGINS: A CENTURY-OLD EXPERIMENT THAT WON’T DIE
The U.S. first dabbled in daylight saving time in 1918 under the Standard Time Act, an effort to extend daylight hours and conserve energy. However, the idea wasn’t universally embraced. In 1919, the federal mandate was repealed, leaving time changes up to local governments.
Fast forward to World War II, and daylight saving time made a comeback, only to become a chaotic, state-by-state patchwork until 1966. That year, the Uniform Time Act standardized the start and end dates of daylight saving time—though states could opt out. Since 2007, the U.S. has followed the current schedule: clocks spring forward on the second Sunday in March and fall back on the first Sunday in November.
THE REBELS: WHO REFUSES TO PLAY ALONG?
Not everyone follows this time-altering ritual. Hawaii and most of Arizona reject daylight saving time, keeping their clocks steady year-round. The reasoning? Their geographical locations make time shifts unnecessary.
But are they ahead of the curve? Many Americans are starting to think so.
THE MOVEMENT TO END TIME CHANGES
In 2022, the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed the Sunshine Protection Act, aiming to make daylight saving time permanent and end the back-and-forth clock confusion. The bill stalled in the House, leaving America stuck in its semi-annual time loop.
Even former President Donald Trump weighed in, saying the debate is “50-50.” Some Americans love lighter evenings, while others argue the disruption harms sleep and productivity. In the last six years, 20 states have passed laws to keep daylight saving time permanent, but federal approval is required to make the change nationwide.
DOES THE REST OF THE WORLD DO THIS?
The U.S. isn’t alone in this time-shifting madness. Many countries observe some version of “summer time,” but with different schedules. In the Southern Hemisphere, where seasons are reversed, their “daylight saving time” runs opposite to ours. However, an increasing number of nations have abandoned the practice altogether, arguing that the benefits no longer outweigh the inconvenience.
SCIENCE SPEAKS: IS DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME BAD FOR US?
Health experts and sleep scientists are divided. Some studies suggest daylight saving time reduces car accidents and crime by extending evening light. But others argue that disrupting our body clocks leads to increased heart attacks, strokes, and sleep deprivation.
A 2022 study found that people living farther from solar time—where noon doesn’t align with the sun’s highest point—experience a 22% higher rate of fatal road accidents. In other words, the time change may be doing more harm than good.
WHAT’S NEXT? WILL AMERICA DITCH THE CLOCK CHANGE?
With growing public frustration and legislative efforts gaining traction, the days of changing clocks may be numbered. Will Congress finally put an end to this century-old tradition? Or will America continue flipping the clocks indefinitely?
One thing is certain: whether you’re celebrating longer days or mourning lost sleep, daylight saving time remains one of the nation’s most hotly debated practices.
So, are you team Spring Forward Forever or team Keep It Standard? Let the debate rage on!
