The History of Daylight Saving Time

It is that time of the year in my part of the world where I can now watch the traditional 3pm English Premier League(EPL) kickoff at exactly 3pm WAT instead of one hour later at 4pm WAT. This happens due to a phenomenon known as Daylight Saving Time(DST).

What is Daylight Saving Time?

Daylight saving time is a practice of moving clocks, usually by one hour, during the summer or warmer months. This is done so that darkness falls at a later clock time.

During autumn(fall), the clocks are set back by one hour. This is done so as to have more daylight during winter mornings.

Daylight saving time is known as daylight savings time or daylight time in the United States, Canada, and Australia. In the United Kingdom and some other European Union countries, it is known as summertime.

When does it occur?

In the United States and Canada, Daylight Saving Time begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November. This year, Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 13, 2022, at 2:00 A.M. It would end on Sunday, November 6, 2022, at 2:00 A.M.

In the United Kingdom, British Summer Time begins on the last Sunday in March and ends on the last Sunday in October. This year, British Summer Time begins on Sunday, March 27, 2022 at 1:00 A.M. It would end on Sunday, October 30, 2022, at 2:00 A.M.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s63L2WAUzHA

How it started

It is said that Benjamin Franklin suggested the idea of Daylight Saving Time in the year 1784 during his time as an American envoy to France.

In the United Kingdom, the British Summer Time was first established by the Summer Time Act of 1916, after a campaign by builder William Willett.

Why does it happen?

The earth’s axis is tilted at about 23.4 degrees. Because of this tilt, the part of the earth that receives the sun’s most direct rays changes as the earth travels around the sun.

When the north pole is tilted toward the sun, it is summertime in the Northern Hemisphere. During this time the Northern Hemisphere experiences longer hours of sunlight.

Moving the clocks forward allows people the opportunity to take advantage of the longer hours of sunlight.

How do people feel about it?

This practice of adjusting the clocks with the change in seasons remains controversial though.

Whether you are for Daylight Saving Time or against, remember to “spring forward, fall back.”