Daylight Savings Time 2014: 'Spring Forward' this Sunday at 2 a.m. except Alaska, Hawaii, Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico
Spring finally arrives (officially, at least) on March 20. After a few months of brutal winter, it's certainly time for a change for most of us. However, before this day arrives, there is one more thing that has to be done, and that is Daylight Savings Time (DST). On Sunday, March 9, 2014, DST will start at 2:00 a.m. This means that almost all U.S. states will have to spring forward. Clocks must be set forward by an hour.
For 2014, the DST will run from March 9 to Nov. 2. This means that on Nov. 2, the clock is going to be turned back by one hour again starting at 2:00 a.m. However, some states and territories including Arizona, Hawaii, U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico do not observe this change. The official spring is supposed to begin on March 20, 2014.
The concept of DST had some changes over the years since New Zealand entomologist George Vernon Hudson first introduced the idea. After that, it became adopted by allies during WWI and, although it was abandoned afterwards, it is the standard today. With DST in place, there will be longer afternoons. However, it will cost one hour of sleep. Therefore, it also causes changes in one's sleeping time that should be accounted for.
The concept of Daylight Savings Time does not take place in all states and territories as mentioned earlier. The Navajo Indian Reservation in Arizona follows the changes. Around the world, there are only about 75 countries following DST every year. Some countries like Japan have not observed it for over 60 years now.
On March 9, an hour must be added on to the clock in order to be synchronized with the rest of the United States. For most smartphone users, operating systems will automatically change the clock and save the user from having to make or even think about the necessary adjustment. On Nov. 2, the clocks will have to be pulled back by an hour.