Daylight saving time returns on March 9, 2025, marking the seasonal switch when most Americans spring their clocks forward one hour, just two weeks away from the end of February. This practice, steeped in nearly century-long tradition, promises longer evenings filled with sunlight as summer approaches.
This year, people across the country will turn their clocks forward at 2 AM local time, transitioning from standard time to daylight saving time. Come November 2, 2025, clocks will revert back at 2 AM, resulting once more in the annual ritual of falling back.
When discussing who participates, it’s notable to mention some states don’t follow this twice-yearly clock shift. Hawaii and most of Arizona have opted out, as do several U.S. territories like Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Navajo Nation, notable for residing within Arizona, still observes daylight saving time.
The history of daylight saving time is intertwined with energy conservation efforts. Initially proposed by Benjamin Franklin as early as 1784, the modern adoption didn’t take place until the Uniform Time Act was implemented in 1966. Under this act, states could exempt themselves from observing daylight saving time, which has resulted in the current patchwork of participation across the U.S.
Recent discussions have surfaced around potentially making daylight saving time permanent. The Sunshine Protection Act aimed to eliminate the need for clock changes altogether, having passed the Senate unanimously back in March 2022, but it has stalled within the House of Representatives. Such legislative actions signal increasing dissatisfaction among the populace with the current system of switching clocks.
Public sentiment appears to lean toward making daylight saving time the default year-round. A YouGov poll conducted this year revealed 62% of Americans wanted to eliminate the biannual time change, with 50% preferring permanent daylight saving time, as opposed to 31% who opted for standard time.
Health professionals have weighed in on the impacts of daylight saving time shifts, particularly the loss of sleep associated with the spring adjustment. Reports claim people lose approximately 40 minutes of sleep following the time change, which coincides with increased incidences of heart attacks and strokes soon after. Seasonal Affective Disorder also gains attention during the subsequent months due to shorter daylight hours following the fall transition, affecting many Americans' mental health.
While public officials endeavor to change the way we view daylight saving time, the future remains uncertain. President Trump’s stance has previously included calls to abolish the practice, where he labeled it “inconvenient and costly.” Such discussions add another layer to the debate surrounding daylight saving time as 2025 approaches.
Even localized efforts, such as those from Oregon where legislation has been introduced aiming for permanent daylight saving time, need congressional approval to come to fruition. This reflects not just regional concerns, but national frustration over the clock switching tradition.
For California residents, the upcoming time adjustment signifies more than just clock management; it’s indicative of broader conversations about work-life balance and energy conservation standards.
While most electronic devices now transition automatically during these shifts, manual adjustments are still necessary for some older appliances. Still, many across the nation will engage with tradition, preparing to welcome longer days with increased evening sunlight as day turns to dusk.
This year’s clock change is accompanied by significant conversations about its practical and psychological impacts. Discussions continue to flourish surrounding the need for reflective and rational policies to benefit everyday citizens who navigate this twice-a-year shift.
Americans gear up for this year’s daylight saving time, pondering not only the simple act of changing their clocks but also the larger, systemic issues it brings to light. The refrain of “spring forward, fall back” takes on new meaning each time it’s uttered, encapsulating both tradition and the potential for change.