Daylight Savings Time History

 


Most of us know the basics around Daylight Saving Time (DST), and the fact that it started in the WWI era as a method to save energy since more natural light would be available for evening work and after work activities in the summer months.  On this 106th year of DST implementation in the USA, we will take the opportunity to review a few facts and figures related to DST:


  • Benjamin Franklin in the mid to late 1700’s was one of the first people to come up with the idea to reset clocks in the summer months to conserve energy.  However, many others are also noted with thinking of the concept as well
  • Germany was the first country in the world to implement DST.  It was during the early parts of WWI (May 1916), and many European countries soon followed
  • The official date of US Congress’ implementation of DST occurred on March 9, 1918
  • Today, only 40% of the world’s countries observe DST.  For countries closer to the equator, daily sunlight hours are more consistent throughout the calendar year and thus any perceived benefit is not recognized
  • Daylight Saving Time will resume on the second Sunday in March next spring for most of the USA
  • Recent alterations (2007 to present) regarding “fall back” in the USA have delayed implementation until the first Sunday in November.  My theory -- this is the first weekend after Halloween and thus gives the children additional daylight for safer evening festivities on October 31
  • Speaking of safety, one logical reason not to implement permanent DST year-round is for local school districts in northern regions of the US to have natural daylight during transportation of children to and from school in the winter.  Without Standard Time, many schools would start their daily class activities without natural light during the winter season
  • Due to lax laws around DST implementation, at one point St. Paul and Minneapolis were on different times due to local acceptance of DST
  • Regardless of the time system, the first days of November bring about 10 hours of daylight in a 24-hour period in Grand Forks, ND
  • Between the end of DST and Winter Solstice, Grand Forks residents will lose another 1 hour 30 minutes of daylight. 
  • The shortest day of the year for Grand Forks, ND will result in only 8 hours and 23 minutes of daylight.  Which is much better than Fairbanks, AK at 3 hours and 41 minutes!

 

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2018/03/daylight-savings-time-arizona-florida-spring-forward-science/

https://www.livescience.com/56048-daylight-saving-time-guide.html

https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/usa/grand-forks?month=12&year=2019

https://www.explorefairbanks.com/blog/post/winter-solstice-fairbanks....

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