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.
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 savings time.
History
Modern daylight saving 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.
Confusion Over Daylight Saving Time
There can be confusion over daylight saving time. When it begins and ends is a set time of the year, however, people still fail to remember to make the change. Add to that the fact that not every area of the United States or the world keeps DST, and the confusion mounts. If a state is in more than one time zone, it can exempt one of the portions from keeping it, yet require the other(s) to adhere.http://www.webexhibits.org/daylightsaving/e.html The kind of confusion that can result is the subject of the West Wing video clip below.
West Wing Clip - Daylight Savings Time
Not every area of the United States observes daylight savings time, which is the subject of this short clip from the television drama "West Wing".
A Brief History of Daylight Saving Time - Humor
This is a comedic look at the history of Daylight Saving Time. The narrator includes only brief mentions of actual information.
Do our Body Clocks adjust to Daylight Saving Time?
This video suggests that our body clocks do not ever adjust to the change in schedule that is forced by Daylight Saving Time.
Daylight Saving Time Media and Humor
Pop Goes The Culture: Daylight Saving Time: Does Anybody Here Really Know What Time It Is?
Snopes.com: DSTease
Humor Columnist: How do you know when it's Daylight Saving Time
References
Fast Facts
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Abbreviation
DST
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Clocks change at 2
00 a.m. local time
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Fact:
In the fall, clocks move back one hour
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Upcoming spring change
Sunday, March 14, 2010
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Fact:
In the spring, clocks move forward one hour
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Purpose
to extend working daylight hours
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Fact:
Not all countries observe DST
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Fact:
Not all parts of the U.S. observe DST
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Common saying to help you remember the time change
"Spring forward, fall back"
