Daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. Sunday, springing us forward to 3 a.m. Moving clocks forward one-hour means it will stay lighter later in the coming months, with later sunsets. While you turn your clocks forward, take some time to check your smoke detectors.
Seventy countries observe daylight saving time, including most of Europe. The first daylight saving time in the United States went into effect March 31, 1918, under the Standard Time Act. According to the Library of Congress, the law was intended to save on electricity as well as give Americans “an extra hour of sun to enjoy.”
However, the law was unpopular and repealed after seven months. It was brought back between 1942 and 1945 during World War II for energy-saving purposes.
Daylight saving time as it is known today was re-introduced in 1966 under the Uniform Time Act.