The history of Daylight Saving Time includes more than one effort during wartime to reduce energy use and costs. It involves numerous chapters in the history of the United States and other countries, and is still evolving.
Daylight Saving Time Historical Timeline
Daylight Saving Time has evolved over centuries and these changes can be seen on a timeline of events. More information on these dates in history can be found through the United States Naval Observatory (USNO).
- 1784: The idea behind Daylight Saving Time was initially introduced by Benjamin Franklin as a way to preserve candles, the source of evening light for many.
- 1883: The United States and Canada began recognizing time zones, as a push by the railroads to establish continuity of services.
- 1918: The Standard Time Act was passes which formally outlined time zones as law in the United States. As part of this act, Daylight Saving Time was also added.
- 1919: Due to unpopularity, the law mandating Daylight Saving Time was repealed. The portion of the act outlining time zones remained in effect. Local government agencies were left to decide how to handle Daylight Saving Time.
- 1942: President Franklin D. Roosevelt reinstated Daylight Saving Time, or war-time, as another effort to reduce energy use during WWII.
- 1945: The original ruling by President Roosevelt ended with the war. States were allowed to choose their own preferences for continuing this practice.
- 1966: The Uniform Time Act was created by Congress which included a nationally recognized pattern for summer time changes. This was the result of pressure by the transportation industry to create consistency across the nation. As before, local governments were allowed exemptions from this new rule. The act stated that the new daylight time was to begin on the last Sunday in April and run through the last Sunday in October, with the changing of clocks to occur at 2 a.m. local time.
- 1974-1975: A period of year round daylight saving time began as a reaction to an energy crisis. There was much controversy over dark mornings and safety issues for children travelling to schools, so the trial ended after just the first year.
- 1986: A new Federal law stated that Daylight Saving Time would begin on the first Sunday in April, with no change made to the end date.
- 2005: President George W. Bush signed the Energy Policy Act of 2005, extending Daylight Saving Time to begin the 2nd Sunday in March and end the 1st Sunday in November.
Exceptions to Daylight Saving Time Observances
Since the last rulings were made, the entire state of Indiana must also observe Daylight Saving Time, where only certain areas did before the ruling. Hawaii and much of Arizona do not follow the time changes.
Arizona once tried to follow Daylight Saving Time, but there was too much fallout as a result and it was repealed a year later. At the time the decision was made, a main argument was that there were already enough hours of sunlight and it would be more expensive to try to cool buildings for extra hours each summer. Those who worked outside would also face more hours in the heat of the Arizona sun.
There is one exception in Arizona, however, and that is on the Navajo Indian Reservation. Some territories are occupied by this reservation in other states and following the same time changes made sense for those living within the reservation.
There are many other areas which do not follow Daylight Saving Time, including the United States territories of Puerto Rico, Guam, Virgin Islands, and American Samoa. There are more than 70 countries throughout the world where a form of Daylight Saving Time is followed, often referred to as summer time.
Further Resources for Facts About Daylight Saving Time
Daylight Saving Time is observed throughout most of the United States of America, but is not always understood. History has shown that as issues of consistency and energy reduction are highlighted, Daylight Saving Time is altered to reach new goals. Further information can be found through the National Geographic online, in an article posted by CNN.com entitled Extra!: Daylight-Saving Time on March 7, 2007, and searching for other resources.
Chris Oldenburg - The homeschooling mother of four children, I am also a freelance technical writer. After more than 10 years of homeschooling I enjoy the ...
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