Most Americans “sprang forward” Sunday, losing an hour of sleep as daylight saving time officially began. The annual shift, intended to create better use of daylight during the warmer months, took effect at 2 a.m. Local time on March 8, 2026. This year’s start date continues a pattern established in 2007, where daylight saving time begins on the second Sunday of March.
The change means earlier sunrises and later sunsets, shifting an hour of daylight from the morning to the evening. In Boston, for example, the National Weather Service reported a sunrise of 6:09 a.m. And a sunset of 5:41 p.m. On Saturday, March 7th. After the time change, sunrise occurred at 7:08 a.m. And sunset at 6:42 p.m. On Sunday, March 8th.
Daylight saving time isn’t a latest phenomenon. Its history in the United States is marked by periods of adoption and abandonment, often tied to national events and energy concerns. The practice was first implemented in 1918 as a wartime measure to conserve fuel during World War I, according to the Congressional Research Service. It was later used during World War II for similar reasons, and to bolster national security, the Defense Department has stated.
A History of Time Shifts
The timing of daylight saving time has varied considerably over the years. Before 1987, the Uniform Time Act of 1966 stipulated that the change would occur on the last Sunday of April. For two decades prior to 2007, the first Sunday in April marked the start of daylight saving time. The U.S. Naval Observatory, the official source of time for the Defense Department, confirms the current practice of starting on the second Sunday of March.
There was even a period in the 1970s when the U.S. Experimented with year-round daylight saving time, beginning on the first Sunday of January in 1974, during the energy crisis. But, this experiment was short-lived, with the country reverting to standard time in October of the same year and then resuming daylight saving time on the last Sunday of February in 1975. After 1975, the start date returned to April.
When Does Daylight Saving Time Finish in 2026?
Even as the “spring forward” is often the more noticeable change, daylight saving time will eventually end. Most Americans will “fall back” to standard time at 2 a.m. Local time on Sunday, November 1, 2026. This will mark the end of 238 days of daylight saving time in 2026, according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
The purpose of daylight saving time has been debated for years. While initially intended to conserve energy, studies have shown minimal impact on energy consumption. A 1974 Transportation Department study found minimal benefits regarding energy conservation, traffic safety, and reducing violent crime, as reported by the Congressional Research Service. More recently, after the start date was moved up in 2007, the Energy Department found electricity consumption fell by only 0.03%.
Which States Skip the Change?
Not all states participate in daylight saving time. Hawaii and Arizona (with the exception of the Navajo Nation) remain on standard time year-round. Several U.S. Territories, including American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well do not observe the time change.
Most modern smartphones automatically adjust for daylight saving time when set to update automatically. However, Apple, Google, and Samsung all provide support pages for users who require assistance with manual adjustments. Carriers like Straight Talk and Tracfone also offer instructions for Motorola users.
As we approach November, it’s worth noting that the debate surrounding the benefits and drawbacks of daylight saving time continues. While the practice remains in place for now, discussions about potentially adopting permanent standard time are ongoing. The end of daylight saving time on November 1st will bring a return to darker mornings but longer evenings as the fall season progresses.
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