Have You Adjusted to the Time Change Yet? A Daylight Savings Time History Lesson
Should Daylight Savings Time Be Year-Round?
As we turned back our clocks last weekend, the semi-annual debate re-surfaced again. Should Daylight Savings Time be year-round or should we continue to change the clocks twice a year?
What Do You Think?
I think we all enjoy getting that extra hour of sleep every Fall. In theory. This year I woke up early on Sunday anyway. However, the extra hour for that one day does seem to make the day much longer. But as we know there is a downside as darkness comes really fast come 5 PM. This past Sunday, my wife and I were watching the Buffalo Bills game and I had plans to take a bike ride after the game. The game was over at about 4 PM, so I scurried out the door and went nearby on my favorite back road. By the end of my 6.5-mile ride, it was rather dark. Mind you I have lights on my bike so not to worry. The near-full moon was also rising which helped to light the way.
When I got home it was totally dark and seemed so late. It was only 5:30 PM.
It is nice in the morning as sunrise comes an hour earlier. We just have to make that adjustment to the daylight ending abruptly at around 5 PM. By December 21st, it will be dark closer to 4:30 PM.
It does take a week or so to adjust our internal body clocks to the time change. So far this week I find myself waking up early and being more tired at 10:30 PM than normal. But as humans, we are very adaptable. I think children have a tougher time since the change affects their school schedule.
A Little History
Per CNN, Benjamin Franklin appeared to have first mentioned it (Daylight Savings Time) in 1784, when he wrote a letter to the editor of the Journal of Paris.
This law defined the time zones in the U.S. and implemented Standard Time and Daylight Savings Time (DST). However, the portion regarding DST was repealed a year later.
This established (DST) here in the United States as we know it today. Current exceptions include Arizona and Hawaii. Prior to this, each state had its own plan regarding DST. Some states had varying plans by county. Over the years, various amendments have been made to the Uniform Time Act. Since this law was adopted, there have been a few weeks here and there. Currently, DST begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November.
Was Daylight Savings Time Implemented For Farmers?
Although DST does benefit farmers, the main reason it was established is for electricity savings. The U.S. and many other countries currently use the system. Many studies have been done to determine if DST actually saves power. Results are mixed.
Will Time Change Be a Thing of the Past?
This year, the Sunshine Protection Act, which would permanently implement Daylight Savings Time, was passed by the U.S. Senate. It is awaiting approval by the U.S. House of Representatives. Time will tell if this will go into effect. Pun intended.