Daylight Saving Time begins every year on the second Sunday of March, ending on the first Sunday of November. Even though many territories observe Daylight Saving Time, there is still opposition to the practice.
This year, Daylight Saving Time starts on March 11, the day that clocks go forward an hour. It ends on Nov. 6, when clocks go back an hour instead. In the United States, clocks should go forward at 2 a.m. on March 11, then turn back at 2 a.m. as well on Nov. 6.
However, there are certain states that do not observe Daylight Saving. Hawaii and Arizona do not turn their clocks forward in the spring, although members of the Navajo nation in Arizona participate in the practice. Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and other U.S. territories do not observe Daylight Saving as well.
Other countries in the Northern Hemisphere also observe Daylight Savings, although not all do. In the Northern Hemisphere, Daylight Saving Time begins in March to April, and ends in September to November. However, countries in the Southern Hemisphere that participate in the practice begin turning their clocks forward sometime in September to November and back in March to April.
Only about 40 percent of all countries in the world observe Daylight Saving Time. Those who do not practice it are typically the countries closest to the equator.
Countries that participate in Daylight Saving Time usually do so in order to make the most of the daylight in evening hours. However, not all who live in countries that have Daylight Saving Time agree with the practice. Some countries that have picked up the practice have even abolished it sometime after.
There are a number of benefits to Daylight Saving, including a drop in crime rates. However, the practice does negatively impact certain sectors of society. For example, farmers make up one group that see the practice as, at the least, an inconvenience. Most farmers lose an hour of daylight in the morning during Daylight Saving Time, which means they have less time to accomplish their usual tasks.
Daylight Saving Time in the United States begins on March 11 at 2 a.m. EST, or 7 a.m. GMT. The United Kingdom, meanwhile, will begin British Summer Time, which is designated as GMT+1.
