By: Thomas Rotella
(Photo Source: Boston 25 News)
In the early hours of March 10th, 2024, most American clocks “sprang forward” as a part of the nation’s twice-yearly daylight saving tradition. Many Americans have long grown tired of this event, which finds its roots in the early 1900s.
Daylight saving time was conceived by entomologist George Hudson and William Willett, the great-great-grandfather of Coldplay’s Chris Martin. Hudson sought more daylight for his bug hunting, which convinced Willett to propose the idea of moving clocks forward in the spring and back in the fall. Daylight saving time grew popular during World War I as a means to save energy, but gained more traction in retailers’ desire for extended shopping hours.
President Woodrow Wilson signed legislation in 1918 implementing daylight saving time in the United States, claiming that it would benefit farmers while actually being largely driven by commercial interests. Despite being widely adopted, some areas, like Arizona and Hawaii, opt out of daylight saving time entirely.
The debate surrounding DST continues today. While most states still adhere to the practice, some are considering ending it altogether. Nineteen states have passed legislation for year-round daylight saving time pending congressional approval, while others have authorized such changes but await legislative action.
Some readers may remember news of a congressional bill to end the practice all the way back in 2022. This bill, called the Sunshine Protection Act, unfortunately never made it to the president’s desk to be signed into law. But some politicians, such as Florida Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio have not let that dissuade them, and are still pushing for the end to this overstayed American tradition. We’ll just have to wait and see if they will be successful in their efforts, allowing the United States to finally follow standard time year-round.
