Twice a year, we are asked to move the time on our clocks backward or forward. Every year we dread the time that we lose an hour, but always look forward to the time when we gain an hour of sleep. Why does this happen? Why does daylight savings exist?
What is daylight savings and when does it happen?
Based on timeanddate.com daylight saving time “is the practice of setting the clocks forward one hour from standard time during the summer months, and back again in the fall, in order to make better use of natural daylight.”
The 2nd Sunday in March is when daylight saving time starts. This is the time when we set our clocks forward 1 hour(we lose an hour). The 1st Sunday in November (about 2 weeks from now) is when we set our clocks 1 hour back(we gain an hour).
Does daylight saving happen worldwide?
Based on this year 2020, daylight saving time is observed mostly in the United States, but it is observed in many other countries. Most countries above the equator observe DST, and most below the equator do not but this does not count for every country.
Southern Hemisphere
Chile, Paraguay, Madagascar, and parts of Australia observe DST. Because they are in the southern hemisphere, daylight saving time starts in September – November and ends March – April
Northern Hemisphere
Like I mentioned before, some of the northern hemisphere participates in DST, but not all. Even in the United States. In the U.S, the only states that do not participate in DST are Hawaii and parts of Arizona.
There are also parts of Canada, most of Asia, and most of northern Africa do not observe DST.
Why does daylight saving time exist?
The main purpose of daylight saving today is to conserve energy and make better use of daylight. “By moving clocks forward, people could take advantage of the extra evening daylight rather than wasting energy on lighting.”
“Those who do observe DST take advantage of the natural daylight in the summer evenings. That’s because the days start to get longer as Earth moves from the winter season to spring and summer, with the longest day of the year on the summer solstice. During the summer season in each hemisphere, Earth, which revolves around its axis at an angle, is tilted directly toward the sun. “
Daylight saving time was invented in 1908 in Canada. Daylight saving time was not known to the rest o world until 1916 when Germany enforced daylight saving to save energy for the war effort during World War I. After WWI was finished, it became an option for countries to observe daylight savings. Until WWII, then daylight saving became required for most of the world.
The United States starting participating in daylight saving in 1918.
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