Winter is approaching and with it the time changes in the United States. And of course, the time adjustment impacts the routine of millions of people in the country. This event occurs twice a year with the aim of making better use of available natural light and optimizing energy consumption.
During winter time, the mornings will have more sunlight, while the afternoons will get darker earlier. This is due to the implementation of Daylight Saving Time (DST), or daylight saving time, which seeks to maximize daylight hours. In spring, clocks are moved forward one hour to lengthen the daylight in the afternoons. In autumn, the opposite happens: clocks go back one hour to return to winter standard time.
Reason behind the time change
The purpose of this change is to make better use of sunlight during the shorter days of winter and optimize energy consumption. This practice dates back to World War I, when the United States and other countries implemented time change to reduce fuel use. The policy was formalized in 1918 with the Standard Time Act, and became a regular measure in 1966 under President Richard Nixon.
Exceptions and criticisms
Not all regions in the United States implement this change. Some territories, such as Hawaii and parts of Arizona, keep the same hours year-round due to their geographic location or legislative decisions.
Although the time change has been defended for its energy-saving benefits, it has also faced criticism. Several studies indicate that it can affect people’s health, altering sleep cycles and increasing the risk of accidents in the days after the adjustment.
In the United States, not all states change the time on the same day, nor do all of them implement the time change. Here are some key details:
Daylight Saving Time: Most states in the US follow the change to Daylight Saving Time (DST) and adjust their clocks on the same day: on the second Sunday in March they move forward one hour and on the first Sunday in November They delay an hour.
Exceptions:
Arizona (except the Navajo Nation) does not observe daylight saving time, so it does not change the time.
Hawaii also does not use daylight saving time.
Some US territories, such as Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands and Guam, also do not apply the time change.
These states and territories maintain the same schedule throughout the year, while the others adjust their clocks on the mentioned dates.
When does the time change in the USA in 2024
So, When does the time change in the United States in 2024?? The change from summer to winter time is scheduled for Sunday, November 3, 2024. Therefore, keep in mind that starting at 2:00 AM (local time), you will have to set your clocks back one hour. That is, take them at 1:00 AM. And of course, this adjustment allows the following mornings to have more light, although the afternoons get darker earlier.
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