This Sunday, millions of Americans will lose an hour of sleep as daylight saving time (DST) begins. At 2 a.m. local time on March 10, clocks will “spring forward” by one hour, bringing longer daylight in the evenings but darker mornings.
When Does Daylight Saving Time Start and End?
The United States observes daylight saving time from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November. This means that clocks will remain an hour ahead until Sunday, November 3, 2025, when they will “fall back” to standard time.
Why Do We Change the Clocks?
Daylight saving time was first introduced in the U.S. during World War I to conserve energy by making better use of natural daylight. President Woodrow Wilson signed the first DST law on March 8, 1918, but it was repealed just months later when the war ended. It returned during World War II and became standardized under the Uniform Time Act of 1966, which set nationwide start and end dates.
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 extended DST to its current schedule, with clocks changing in March and November. The goal was to reduce energy consumption by shifting daylight hours to later in the day.
Who Observes Daylight Saving Time?
Most of the United States follows DST, but some regions do not participate. Arizona (except for the Navajo Nation) and Hawaii remain on standard time year-round. The U.S. territories of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands also do not observe daylight saving time.
Should Daylight Saving Time Be Permanent?
The debate over whether to “lock the clock” continues. Many Americans find the time change disruptive, and seventeen states have passed legislation to make daylight saving time permanent. However, Congress must approve any nationwide change before it can take effect.
In March 2022, the U.S. Senate passed the “Sunshine Protection Act”, which aimed to make daylight saving time permanent. However, the bill stalled in the House of Representatives and was never signed into law.
Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) reintroduced the Sunshine Protection Act in January 2025, hoping to end the biannual clock changes. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) introduced a companion bill in the House.
What Do Americans Prefer?
A recent Gallup poll (January 2025) found that 54% of Americans prefer standard time year-round, while 40% favor daylight saving time year-round. The remaining 6% were undecided.
Even former President Donald Trump weighed in, saying, “It’s a 50-50 issue… a lot of people like it one way, a lot of people like it the other way.”
Trump also posted on Truth Social in December 2024, stating: “Daylight Saving Time is inconvenient and very costly to our Nation.”
The Science Behind Daylight Saving Time
Experts have debated whether DST truly saves energy. Some studies suggest it reduces electricity usage by 1-2%, while others argue it increases demand for heating and cooling.
Health experts warn that the sudden shift in sleep schedules can increase risks for heart attacks, strokes, and workplace accidents. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine supports permanent standard time, arguing that it aligns better with the body’s natural circadian rhythm.
What You Need to Do
✔ Set your clocks forward one hour before bed on Saturday night (March 9).
✔ Adjust your sleep schedule to minimize fatigue from the lost hour.
✔ Be extra cautious while driving, as drowsy driving accidents tend to spike after the time change.
Final Thoughts
Daylight saving time is here to stay—for now. Whether the U.S. will adopt permanent DST or return to standard time year-round remains uncertain. Until then, Americans will continue to adjust their clocks twice a year.
