Having adjusted our clocks and lifestyles by an hour this past weekend, I thought it might be interesting to share a few fun facts about Daylight Saving Time (DST).

Fun Fact #1
We are currently on Standard Time NOT Daylight Saving Time.
That means, THIS is the Correct Time, lol.
Also, it’s Daylight SAVING Time, no plural, not Savings.

Fun Fact#2
The idea for Daylight Saving Time was first suggested by Benjamin Franklin in 1784. It’s believed that the essay in which he references changing sleep schedules to get better use of daylight may have been in jest, a subtle mockery of lazy Parisians and a jab at new taxation opportunities. (Shhh, maybe I shouldn’t mention that part!)

Fun Fact #3
In 1905, Englishman William Willett led the first campaign to adjust the time by 80 minutes between April and October. He died before the 60 minute change was adopted in Britain with the British Summer Time (BST) act of 1916, following the first European country, Germany, who enacted DST as a direct result of World War I.
In 1918, the U.S. followed suit in an effort to save on wartime resources.

Fun Fact #4
It has nothing to do with farmers as is commonly believed. Since farmer’s work by the sun, not the clock, the practice proved disruptive to their day. So much so that rural interests fought for a repeal. Urban interests continue to win out with almost 40 states toying with the idea of making DST permanent.

Fun Fact #5
Two states, Hawaii and Arizona, do not observe DST at all.
Unless the federal law changes, states cannot opt out of Standard Time, only Daylight Saving Time.

Falling Back is my favorite. I LOVE that extra hour the first weekend in November.

No Fun, just Fact
Daylight Saving Time returns Sunday, March 8, 2020
We shall Spring Ahead (and lose an hour, sniff, sniff) at 2 a.m.

For more DST Fun Facts, also known as an easy way to waste the hour you got back,
check out these Resources:
History.com
USAToday.com
CNN.com
MentalFloss.com