On Sunday, Nov. 2, at 2 a.m. local time, most of the United States will rollback clocks from Daylight Saving Time (DST) to Standard Time - gaining an hour of sleep, but also restarting a ritual rooted in history and controversy.
From Wartime Measure to Routine Ritual
DST was first imposed nationally in the United States in 1918 with the Standard Time Act, as a wartime measure to conserve fuel and facilitate economic coordination. After World War I ended, the measure was repealed, and during World War II it returned under “War Time.”
The patchwork of local observances soon created confusion, which led Congress to pass the Uniform Time Act of 1966. That law standardized the start and end dates of DST nationwide while allowing states to opt out.
Since 2007, DST in the U.S. begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November - which this year means the end comes on Nov. 2.
Why We Change the Clock—and Why It Still Matters
Originally promoted as an energy-saving measure - tilting daylight hours toward the evening - the practice also aimed to align more daylight with the daily routines of working Americans.
But there are tensions: Studies suggest the time shift may be linked to increased risk of accidents and health disruptions. Moreover, more Americans are questioning the twice-annual change, sparking political momentum for reform.
The Push to Stay on One Time
In March 2022, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make DST permanent and eliminate the clock-change. But the bill stalled in the House, and thus the fall-back/spring-forward cycle remains.
Some states—like Arizona (except the Navajo Nation) and Hawaii - have chosen to stay on standard time year-round.
What You Should Know for Nov. 2
At 2 a.m. local time, clocks should be set back one hour, restoring Standard Time. The shift gives an extra hour of sleep - but also earlier dusk in many places.
