Cullman Daylight Savings Time Spring 2017

Cullman Daylight Savings Time Spring 2017

You will need to remember to set your clocks forward late tonight: Daylight saving time begins at 2 am Sunday, March 12.

2017 marks the 10th year anniversary of daylight saving time moving earlier to the month of March. The concept of changing the clock is over 200 years old

In 1784, while serving as a diplomat in Paris, France, Benjamin Franklin became the first to suggest shifting clocks forward in the spring and back in the fall to save money on candles.

On April 30, 1916, Germany became the first sovereign nation to institute daylight saving time. This action was designed to conserve electricity. The Germans were in the midst of fighting World War I at the time. The United Kingdom followed their lead and introduced a thing called “summer time” a few weeks later.

In 2007, the United States extended daylight saving time from the first Sunday in April to beginning on the second Sunday in March.

Approximately 70 countries now observe daylight saving time across the globe. This count represents about one-quarter of the world’s population.

Interesting fact: Due to consistent sun cycles, countries near the equator have no need to change time for more daylight hours.

According to Wikipedia, proponents of Daylight Savings Time generally argue that it saves energy, promotes outdoor leisure activity in the evening (in summer). Therefore, it is good for physical and psychological health reduces traffic accidents, reduces crime, or is good for business.

Groups that tend to support Daylight Savings Time are urban workers, retail businesses, outdoor sports enthusiasts and businesses, tourism operators, and others who benefit from increased light during the evening in summer.

Opponents argue that actual energy savings are inconclusive, that Daylight Savings Time increases health risks such as heart attack, that it can disrupt morning activities, and that the act of changing clocks twice a year is economically and socially disruptive and cancels out any benefit. Farmers have tended to oppose this manipulation of the clocks.

Regardless where you fall on these issues … at 2 am Sunday, the clocks will change … with or without you.

Cullman Daylight Savings Time Spring 2017