People in the United States will change their clocks at 1 a.m. on Sunday, March 11, 2018 when Daylight Saving Time begins.The tradition of turning the clocks backward and forward has a long history. Ben Franklin proposed the time changes centuries before they were implemented. The purpose of the time changes was originally meant to save money on energy.

Since the time changes first began, many things have been affected, including time zones, international relations, and people's personal health and sleep patterns. The time change has had both positive and negative consequences.

Origin of Daylight Saving Time

In 1895, George Hudson from New Zealand wanted more light to work as an entomologist. He proposed a change so he could have more time to find bugs in the summer. In 1902, William Willett, a British builder, wanted more daylight time. He died in 1915 before his proposal was adopted. In 1916, the German government suggested ways to save energy.

It wasn't until March 9, 1918, that Congress approved and put into practice the first daylight saving law. Back then, energy was supplied by coal. So individual households and organizations really did save money on energy. What about today?

Time changes today

Some individuals, organizations, and even some states are tired of springing forward and falling back.

The time change no longer saves energy as it once did in the past. So, people are wondering why the one-hundred-year-old law is still in effect.

At one time farmers in the south needed the extra daylight to work in the fields before it got dark. Now, with modern machinery, they can schedule their workday to end long before the sun goes down.

What some states are saying

Some states are not on the same page when it comes to Daylight Saving Time. For instance, Hawaii wants to eliminate the change altogether. Arizona doesn't want to keep changing the time because it is extremely hot, and it is not comfortable being outside while it is still light. In other words, Arizona doesn't want more sunlight.

Residents want less sunlight.

On March 5, the Senate passed the Sunshine Protection Act in Florida so that that state will have Daylight Saving Time all year. Congress needs to approve the proposal for that to happen. If Congress approves the bill, Floridians will no longer have to change their clocks twice a year.

In the meantime, the country needs to spring forward one hour on Sunday, March 11 and fall back on November 4, 2018.
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