Current:Home > NewsDo all Americans observe daylight saving time? Why some states and territories don't. -Momentum Wealth Path
Do all Americans observe daylight saving time? Why some states and territories don't.
SignalHub View
Date:2025-04-10 14:38:51
Millions of Americans will wake up feeling more refreshed on Sunday thanks to an extra hour of sleep gained from the ending of daylight saving time.
But the twice-annual time change observance, which begins in March and ends in November, is not observed in all U.S. states and territories.
The time change is meant to allow for more daylight in the mornings during the fall and winter and more daylight in the evenings during the spring and summer, as the Northern Hemisphere tilts either toward or farther away from the sun.
Here's what to know about the U.S. states and territories that do not observe daylight saving time.
Video:Watch the top astronomy events for November 2024
Does every state observe daylight saving time?
Not all states and U.S. territories participate in the time change.
If a state chooses to observe daylight saving time, it must begin and end on federally mandated dates, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Under the Uniform Time Act, which was established in 1966, states can exempt themselves from observing daylight saving time.
Hawaii and most of Arizona do not observe daylight saving time. Because of its desert climate, Arizona doesn't follow daylight saving time (with the exception of the Navajo Nation). After most of the U.S. adopted the Uniform Time Act, the state figured that there wasn't a good reason to adjust clocks to make sunset occur an hour later during the hottest months of the year.
There are also five other U.S. territories that do not participate:
- American Samoa
- Guam
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Puerto Rico
- U.S. Virgin Islands
The Navajo Nation, located in parts of Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico, does follow daylight saving time.
Hawaii is the other state that does not observe daylight saving time. Because of the state's proximity to the equator, there is not a lot of variance between hours of daylight during the year.
When does daylight saving time end in 2024?
Daylight saving time will end for the year at 2 a.m. local time on Sunday, Nov. 3, when we "fall back" and gain an extra hour of sleep.
Next year, it will begin again on Sunday, March 9, 2025.
What is daylight saving time?
Daylight saving time is the time between March and November when most Americans adjust their clocks ahead by one hour.
We gain an hour in November (as opposed to losing an hour in the spring) to make for more daylight in the winter mornings. When we "spring forward" in March, it's to add more daylight in the evenings. In the Northern Hemisphere, the autumnal equinox is Sunday, Sept. 22, marking the start of the fall season.
Is daylight saving time ending?
The push to stop changing clocks was put before Congress in the last couple of years, when the U.S. Senate unanimously approved the Sunshine Protection Act in 2022, a bill to make daylight saving time permanent.
Although the Sunshine Protection Act was passed unanimously by the Senate in 2022, the U.S. House of Representatives did not pass it and President Joe Biden did not sign it.
A 2023 version of the act remained idle in Congress, as well.
In a news release Monday, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio made another push in support of making daylight saving time permanent.
The senator suggested the nation "stop enduring the ridiculous and antiquated practice of switching our clocks back and forth. Let’s finally pass my Sunshine Protection Act and end the need to ‘fall back’ and ‘spring forward’ for good."
Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY.
veryGood! (2149)
Related
- Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
- Human rights group urges Thailand to stop forcing dissidents to return home
- 'Bridgerton' Season 3 is a one-woman show (with more sex): Review
- Blake Lively Brings It Ends With Us to Life In First Trailer—Featuring a Nod to Taylor Swift
- Nevada attorney general revives 2020 fake electors case
- As countries tighten anti-gay laws, more and more LGBTQ+ migrants seek safety and asylum in Europe
- Man convicted of attacking ex-Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband with a hammer is to be sentenced
- A Palestinian converted to Judaism. An Israeli soldier saw him as a threat and opened fire
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Want to step into a Hallmark Christmas movie? New holiday event promises just that.
Ranking
- The city of Chicago is ordered to pay nearly $80M for a police chase that killed a 10
- UN resolution to commemorate the Srebrenica genocide in Bosnia sparks opposition from Serbs
- Nick Jonas Debuts Shaved Head in New Photo With Daughter Malti Marie
- Federal prosecutor in Arkansas stepped down while being investigated, report says
- Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
- What to know about how much the aid from a US pier project will help Gaza
- Lawyer for family of slain US Air Force airman says video and calls show deputy went to wrong home
- Chris Pratt Speaks Out on Death of His Stunt Double Tony McFarr at 47
Recommendation
Juan Soto praise of Mets' future a tough sight for Yankees, but World Series goal remains
Bridge between Galveston and Pelican Island remains closed after barge crash
State Department removes Cuba from short list of countries deemed uncooperative on counterterrorism
All things being equal, Mystik Dan should win Preakness. But all things are not equal.
'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Secret Agents
Army will present Purple Heart to Minnesota veteran 73 years after he was wounded in Korean War
'It Ends with Us' trailer: Blake Lively falls in love in Colleen Hoover novel adaptation