Daylight Savings Time: When does daylight saving time 2023 end?

In November, millions of Americans will revert their clocks, signaling the conclusion of daylight saving time for the year 2023.

The widely-debated tradition of “springing forward” and “falling back” has been in effect across most states for many decades. During the current period of daylight saving time, the majority of Americans lose an hour of sleep on the second Sunday of March and gain an extra hour on the first Sunday of November.

But why do we engage in this “fall back” and “spring forward” routine?

Let’s explore the historical roots of daylight saving time. When does daylight saving time end?
Daylight saving time concludes on November 5th at 2 a.m. During this transition, we will “fall back,” turning our clocks back to 1 a.m., thereby gaining an additional hour of sleep.

What’s the rationale behind daylight saving time?

Daylight saving time was initially introduced in the United States in 1918 through the Standard Time Act. This measure was designed to reduce fuel consumption during the First World War and also established standard time zones under federal jurisdiction. After World War I, daylight saving time was discontinued, but it was reinstated during World War II. In a more recent move, Congress made daylight saving time a permanent practice for two years, from 1973 to 1975, to extend daylight hours and conserve energy during the oil embargo crisis. However, the law was later repealed in 1974 due to public disapproval and perceived ineffectiveness.

In 1966, Congress passed the Uniform Time Act, which standardized the duration of daylight saving time. The dates we currently use for daylight saving time ‒ starting on the second Sunday of March and concluding on the first Sunday of November ‒ were established in 2005 when Congress amended the Act. According to the Department of Transportation, daylight saving time is implemented to conserve energy, prevent traffic accidents, and reduce crime.

Who can be credited with the inception of daylight saving time?

The idea of daylight saving time is often attributed to Benjamin Franklin, who first proposed it in his 1784 essay, “An Economical Project.” However, it was not seriously considered until over a century later when British builder William Willetts passionately advocated for it. The present format of daylight saving time was suggested in New Zealand by entomologist George Hudson in 1895. He proposed a two-hour time shift to have more daylight after work, allowing him to pursue his interest in bug hunting during the summer.

Do all states and U.S. territories observe daylight saving time?

Not all states and U.S. territories participate in daylight saving time. Hawaii and Arizona (except for the Navajo Nation) do not observe daylight saving time, and the territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands also abstain from this practice.