The onset of Spring is officially marked with the beginning of the Daylight Saving Time in the US. This is a national level in the United States of America where clocks move forward maximizing daylight in the evening hours. The change in clocks is observed in various countries apart from the US. The main reason for the change is the optimized use of energy and aligning waking hours with natural daylight. If you are someone who wants to know everything about the Daylight Saving Time 2025 in the US, this article is for you. It brings you everything you need to know about the upcoming changes in the clocks.
What Exactly Do We Mean By Daylight Saving Time?
Daylight Saving Time is usually the time between the months of March and November. At this time, the people living in America have to shift their clocks one hour ahead. This basically means we lose an hour in the month of March to make up for the hour gained in the fall for more daylight in the summer. The spring equinox in the northern hemisphere falls on the 20th of March every year. It marks the start of the Spring season in the countries located in the northern hemisphere.
History Behind DST
Benjamin Franklin first proposed the concept of Daylight Saving Time in the 18th century, approximately 200 years ago. Franklin observed how waking up earlier actually reduces the consumption of energy. However, the overall idea of Daytime Saving Time did not gain much popularity until the First World War.
Germany was the first country to implement DST in 1916 to conserve fuel. Other European countries also followed in Germany’s footsteps. Ultimately, the United States of America also adopted the system in 1918. After the First World War was over, the US repealed DST only to reimplement it during the Second World War. Uniform Time Act was passed in 1966 making DST a permanent fixture in the US calendars. However, States still have the option to opt-out.
Which US States Have Opted Out Of DST?
The Uniform Time Act allows the states of America to opt out of the system of Daylight Saving Time. The following states are the ones who actually used this provision and opted out of DST.
- Hawaii
- Arizona (except Navajo Nation)
- American Samoa
- Guam
- The Northern Mariana Islands
- Puerto Rico
- The US Virgin Islands
When Will The Clock Change Happen This Year?
North America will implement Daylight Saving Time on the 9th of March this year at 2:00 AM local standard time. At this hour the people of America will adjust the clock one hour ahead making it 3:00 AM. This shift means the evenings will no longer have longer daylight. On the other hand, the mornings will turn short as well.
Europe will also implement Daylight Saving Time at the end of this month on the 30th of March 2025 at 1:00 AM GMT. This clock change is going to affect most of the European nations. It will ensure that people have more daylight hours during the summer.
Why Do Some People Criticise DST?
Although Daylight Saving Time was initially implemented to benefit the people, it still has received plenty of criticism in recent years. The main concern of the people is attached to its effect on health and productivity as well as energy consumption. The system was originally introduced to save energy. However, in recent years extended daylight only leads to an increase in the use of energy in the evening and the cooling costs. Health experts have also expressed concerns regarding the extended daylight warning of a disruption in the circadian rhythms. This mainly leads to sleep deprivation as well as low productivity. Transportation and technology industries also suffer from operational inefficiencies.
Will the US Stop Implementing DST?
The debates regarding the future of Daylight Saving Time are still going on. The US Senate recently passed the Sunshine Protection Act aiming to make DST permanent. This will successfully eliminate the biannual changes in the clocks. However, the bill has still not turned into a law. It is currently stuck in the House of Representatives.
