Daylight Saving Time End Dates and Next Start Dates for the US

Daylight Saving Time: Key Dates and Insights for 2024

Although it may feel like summer is still in full swing, autumn is approaching, bringing with it shorter days and longer nights. This year, daylight saving time (DST) will end on Sunday, November 3, 2024. At 2 a.m. on that day, clocks will be set back one hour, marking the transition back to standard time.

When Does Daylight Saving Time End and Resume?

In 2024, daylight saving time will end on November 3. Clocks will roll back one hour at 2 a.m. local time. The next start of daylight saving time will be on March 9, 2025, when clocks will move forward one hour.

What is Daylight Saving Time?

Daylight saving time involves setting clocks forward by one hour in the spring ("spring forward") and setting them back by one hour in the fall ("fall back"). This practice aims to make better use of daylight during the longer days of summer.

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 established that DST begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November. This extended DST from the previous schedule, which started on the first Sunday in April and ended on the last Sunday in October. This change was partly made to allow more daylight for Halloween trick-or-treating.

Historical Context

Daylight saving time has a complex history. While Benjamin Franklin is often associated with the idea due to his 1784 satirical essay on saving candles, the concept was first adopted by Germany during World War I to conserve fuel. The U.S. implemented DST on March 19, 1918, but it was discontinued after World War I. Franklin Roosevelt introduced year-round DST during World War II, but it wasn’t until the Uniform Time Act of 1966 that DST became standardized across the U.S., with the option for states to opt out.

Which States Observe DST?

Most U.S. states observe daylight saving time, with notable exceptions including Arizona (with some Native American tribes observing DST) and Hawaii. U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands do not observe DST.

The Debate: Standard Time vs. Daylight Saving Time

The debate over whether to keep DST or switch to permanent standard time continues. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) advocates for year-round standard time, citing evidence that it aligns better with our natural circadian rhythms and improves public health by reducing sleep disruptions.

Conversely, the Department of Transportation highlights the benefits of DST, including energy savings, reduced traffic accidents, and lower crime rates due to increased daylight during evening hours.

Potential Compromises

Some experts suggest a middle-ground solution, such as a 30-minute time shift, which could address concerns from both sides of the debate. Sheldon Jacobson, a professor of computer science, has proposed this compromise, arguing it could balance the benefits of both time systems while avoiding the disruptive effects of biannual time changes.

As the discussion continues, it's clear that the timing of our clocks impacts various aspects of daily life, from energy consumption to public safety. Whether DST will persist or give way to permanent standard time remains an open question, reflecting ongoing debates about how best to align our schedules with natural light.