Daylight Saving Time Fast Facts

CNN Editorial Research

Here’s a look at Daylight Saving Time, a system to reduce electricity usage by extending daylight hours.

Facts

Sunday, March 12, 2023 – Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. Set clocks ahead one hour.

Sunday, November 5, 2023 – Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 a.m. Set clocks back one hour.

It is “Daylight Saving Time” (singular), not “Daylight Savings Time” (plural).

Beginning in 2007, Daylight Saving Time starts in the United States on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November.

READ MORE – Daylight saving time: Myths and truths

Timeline

1784 – The idea of daylight saving is first conceived by Benjamin Franklin.

1914-1918 – Britain goes on DLS during World War I.

March 19, 1918 – The Standard Time Act establishes time zones and daylight saving. Daylight saving is repealed in 1919, but continues to be recognized in certain areas of the United States.

1945-1966 – There is no federal law regarding Daylight Saving Time.

1966 – The Uniform Time Act of 1966 establishes the system of uniform Daylight Saving Time throughout the United States. The dates are the last Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October. States can exempt themselves from participation.

1974-1975 – Congress extends DLS in order to save energy during the energy crisis.

1986-2006 – Daylight Saving Time begins on the first Sunday in April and ends on the last Sunday in October.

August 8, 2005 – US President George W. Bush signs the Energy Policy Act of 2005 into law. Part of the act will extend Daylight Saving Time starting in 2007, from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November.

2007 – Under new laws, all of Indiana now observes Daylight Saving Time, where only certain areas of the state did before.

Exceptions in the United States

In the United States, Hawaii and most of Arizona do not follow DLS.

The US territories of Guam, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands and American Samoa also do not observe DLS.

What countries follow Daylight Saving Time?

About 70 countries around the world observe DLS.

Many countries near the equator do not adjust their clocks.

Neither China nor Japan currently observe DLS.

Some countries refer to “Daylight Saving Time” as “Summer Time.”

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