Clocks fall back one hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2.

By Joe Lombardi From Daily Voice

Love it or hate it, the twice-a-year clock change sparks debate every time. 

At 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, most Americans will set their clocks back an hour, gaining a little extra sleep, but also reigniting arguments over whether Daylight Saving Time (DST) still makes sense in today’s world.

Century-Old Practice With Mixed Results

Daylight Saving Time was originally designed to save energy. 

First adopted locally in Canada in 1908, the concept gained global attention when Germany implemented it during World War I to conserve fuel. 

The United States followed in 1918 under the Standard Time Act, which extended daylight hours to support wartime industries.

But the change was unpopular with farmers, who relied on sunrise and sunset rather than the clock. DST was repealed after the war, only to resurface during World War II as "War Time."

After the war, inconsistent state and local rules caused chaos.

This confusion led to the Uniform Time Act of 1966, which standardized DST’s start and end dates nationwide, though states were allowed to opt out.

The length of DST has since been extended multiple times, most recently in 2005, when Congress expanded it to eight months of the year.

The Debate: Energy, Health, Safety

While the original purpose of DST was to save energy, modern studies suggest it no longer serves that goal. 

The health impacts of clock changes are another sticking point. Studies link the springtime shift to sleep disruption, a spike in heart attacks, and an increase in traffic accidents. 

Safety concerns have long been part of the conversation. A 1974 experiment with year-round DST faced public backlash after children were forced to commute to school in the dark, leading to its repeal.

Legal Challenges, Legislative Gridlock

Despite widespread dissatisfaction with DST, federal law makes change difficult. The Uniform Time Act allows states to opt out of DST entirely, but it does not permit permanent daylight saving time without Congressional approval.

At least 19 states have passed laws or resolutions supporting permanent DST, but action at the federal level has stalled. The “Sunshine Protection Act,” a proposal to make DST permanent nationwide, has been introduced multiple times in Congress but has not passed.

For now, Americans will keep adjusting their clocks twice a year, even as debate over the practice continues.

Key Points About Daylight Saving Time:

  • When it ends this year: Clocks fall back one hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2, marking the end of DST.
  • Why it started: First used during World War I to conserve energy.
  • Why it’s controversial: Minimal energy savings, health risks, and safety concerns.
  • Current status: Federal law prevents states from making DST permanent without Congressional action.