Daylight saving time will begin this weekend, specifically on Sunday, March 9, 2025. This biannual event involves adjusting the clocks by one hour, commonly referred to as "springing forward." Understanding the specifics of daylight saving time can help you prepare for this change and maximize your daylight hours.
The time change will occur at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 9, 2025, when clocks will move forward to 3 a.m. This shift results in a loss of one hour of sleep, but it also means that evenings will enjoy more daylight, which many people find beneficial.
In the spring, clocks are set forward by one hour, effectively shifting daylight from morning to evening. This change means that the sun will set later in the evening and rise later in the morning. While digital clocks—such as those on your smartphone—will automatically adjust, you will need to manually reset any analog clocks or devices that do not support automatic adjustments.
As we look ahead to the fall, it’s important to note that daylight saving time will end on Sunday, November 2, 2025. At that time, clocks will "fall back" one hour, resulting in the sun setting earlier in the evening and rising earlier in the morning. This transition helps many people adjust their schedules as the days grow shorter.
Outside of the United States, many countries in Europe observe daylight saving time. According to the Pew Research Center, countries such as France, Italy, Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland practice this time adjustment. Additionally, some regions in Canada and Australia also observe daylight saving time, while in Africa, only Egypt follows this practice.
In the United States, not all states participate in daylight saving time. Hawaii and most of Arizona do not observe this time change, as indicated by the Department of Transportation. Furthermore, several U.S. territories, including American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, also do not engage in this practice.
The origins of daylight saving time can be traced back to the 18th century. While Benjamin Franklin is often credited with its inception in 1784 through a satirical essay, the idea was later championed by New Zealand entomologist George Hudson in 1895. Hudson's proposal for a two-hour rollback stemmed from his desire for more daylight to collect insects after work.
Another key figure is British builder William Willet, who, in 1907, published a pamphlet advocating for moving clocks forward in spring to encourage people to rise earlier and make better use of daylight. The first country to officially adopt daylight saving time was Germany during World War I, as a means to conserve fuel. The United States followed suit in 1918 to maximize daylight and conserve energy.
Today, the current practice of starting daylight saving time on the second Sunday in March and ending it on the first Sunday in November was established under former President George W. Bush. This adjustment continues to impact millions of individuals each year as they adapt to changing daylight hours.
