Karen Betancourt Blog

Every year, millions of Americans reset their clocks in the spring and fall — a tradition known as Daylight Saving Time (DST). In 2026, DST will begin on Sunday, March 8, when clocks “spring forward” one hour at 2:00 a.m. local time, giving us more daylight in the evening. It will end on Sunday, November 1, when clocks “fall back” one hour at 2:00 a.m., returning to standard time.

A Brief History
The idea of shifting clocks isn’t new. Though Benjamin Franklin joked about making better use of daylight as early as the 18th century, the modern concept was seriously proposed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. A New Zealand entomologist, George Hudson, suggested a seasonal two-hour shift for more after-work daylight, and British builder William Willett championed the idea in a 1907 pamphlet calling for more daylight hours in the evening.

The first national implementation of DST came during World War I — Germany and Austria-Hungary adopted it in 1916 to save fuel by maximizing the use of natural light. Other countries, including the United States, soon followed. The U.S. formally adopted DST in 1918 as an energy-saving measure but repealed it shortly thereafter. It reappeared during World War II and became more standardized in the 1960s with the Uniform Time Act. Later, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 extended the DST period to its current schedule, beginning in March and ending in November.

What Does Daylight Saving Time Really Do?
It’s important to clear up a common misconception: DST doesn’t create extra daylight — the Earth’s rotation determines how much daylight we get. What DST does is shift our clocks so that more daylight falls in the evening hours during the warmer months.

Traditionally, this was believed to save energy by reducing the need for artificial lighting. Early supporters also argued it would encourage outdoor activity after work, boost retail and tourism, and even decrease traffic accidents.

Benefits — and Drawbacks
Supporters of DST point to several practical benefits:
More daylight in the evening — great for outdoor recreation and small business activity.

Potential energy savings, particularly in reduced lighting use.
A possible reduction in some types of evening traffic accidents (though studies vary).

However, critics argue that the benefits are marginal at best today. With modern energy use dominated by heating and cooling, the original energy-saving rationale no longer holds as strongly. Moreover, clock changes can disrupt sleep, affect health and productivity, and complicate scheduling.

Should We Keep It — or End It?
There’s been increasing debate in recent years about making DST permanent or eliminating clock changes altogether. In fact, the U.S. Senate passed the “Sunshine Protection Act” in 2022 to make DST permanent nationwide, but it never became law. Some states have passed measures to stay on DST year-round — but federal approval is required to make that happen.

Today, opinions are mixed. Many people dislike changing clocks twice a year, while others enjoy the extended evening light. Whether DST will be done away with or simply redesigned remains an open question — but for now, in 2026, that ritual shift into spring and back again continues.

In my opinion, I love Daylight Savings Time and wish we would keep it – it definitely puts a smile and sunshine on my face!! What do you think?