Daylight Saving Time

Daylight Saving Time changes the time twice a year by an hour in order to obtain more working daylight hours. It happens in many, but not all, parts of the world and is somewhat controversial.

Fast Facts

1. Abbreviation: DST
2. Clocks change at 2:00 AM local time
3. Upcoming fall change: Sunday, November 4, 2007
4. In the fall, clocks move back one hour
5. Upcoming spring change: Sunday, March 9, 2008
6. In the spring, clocks move forward one hour
7. Purpose: to extend working daylight hours
8. Not all countries observe DST
9. Not all parts of the U.S. observe DST
10. Common saying to help you remember the time change: "Spring forward, fall back"

2007 Changes

In 2007, U.S. law extended Daylight Saving Time by one month, so it begins the last Sunday in March and ends the first Sunday in November. The move was intended to save electricity during the spring and summer months. Studies have also shown that there are less motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents during the daylight saving time.

History

Modern daylight savings time officially began during World War I when Germany, which was having food production problems, switched to daylight saving time in order to prolong the amount of daylight for the harvest. Other European countries followed Germany's lead, and the United States adopted the measure in 1918.

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