TRENTON, NJ — With the sun rising each morning at around 7 am and frost becomes the morning norm, New Jersey residents are being reminded to set their clocks back this weekend.
And it could be the last time you have to do it.
Americans will set their clocks back one hour, marking the end of Daylight Saving Time (DST) at 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 5, 2023. This annual practice, which grants an extra hour of sleep or night activity, has a rich and complex history.
Daylight Saving Time was first implemented in Germany during World War I to conserve energy by extending daylight hours. The United States adopted the concept in 1918, but it was not consistently regulated until the Uniform Time Act of 1966. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 later extended the DST period by about a month.
Legislation to end the twice-yearly clock change has garnered attention in Congress. The Sunshine Protection Act, which proposes to make DST permanent across the United States, was passed by the Senate in March 2022. However, it has not been enacted into law as the House of Representatives has yet to vote on it.
If enacted, the legislation would eliminate the need for Americans to change their clocks twice a year. Proponents argue that a permanent DST could benefit the economy, reduce crime, and promote health through increased daylight hours.
As the legislation awaits further consideration, individuals are reminded to prepare for the upcoming time change this November by setting their clocks back one hour before going to bed on Saturday, November 4, 2023.