Daylight Saving Time: Daylight Saving Time (DST) is a practice where most people in the United States set their clocks forward in the spring and back in the fall. This change gives us longer daylight during the evening hours in the summer. However, not every state or territory in the U.S. follows this tradition.
What Is Daylight Saving Time?
Daylight Saving Time starts in the spring. People “spring forward” by setting their clocks one hour ahead. Then, in the fall, they “fall back” by setting their clocks one hour behind. This practice aims to make better use of daylight during the warmer months.
In 2024, most of the U.S. will “fall back” on November 3rd, moving the clocks back one hour at 2 a.m. This marks the end of Daylight Saving Time and the return to standard time. However, some places in the U.S. do not observe this time change.
States That Don’t Follow Daylight Saving Time
There are two states in the U.S. that do not observe Daylight Saving Time: Arizona and Hawaii.
- Arizona: Arizona stays on standard time all year round. This decision is due to the state’s location. Arizona gets plenty of sunlight throughout the year. As a result, changing the clocks would have little impact. There is one exception within Arizona, though. The Navajo Nation, located in the northeastern part of the state, does observe Daylight Saving Time. The Navajo Nation covers a large area, even bigger than some U.S. states.
- Hawaii: Hawaii also does not observe Daylight Saving Time. The state stays on standard time all year. Like Arizona, Hawaii’s location means it enjoys a consistent amount of daylight throughout the year. Therefore, there’s no need to change the clocks.
U.S. Territories That Don’t Observe Daylight Saving Time
Several U.S. territories also do not observe Daylight Saving Time. These territories include:
- American Samoa
- Guam
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Puerto Rico
- U.S. Virgin Islands
These territories stay on standard time all year. The federal Uniform Time Act allows states and territories to stay on standard time if they choose. However, they cannot stay on Daylight Saving Time all year without federal approval.
A Brief History of Arizona’s Daylight Saving Time
Arizona first started observing Daylight Saving Time in 1918. But, after some time, the state decided that staying on standard time made more sense. In 1968, Arizona made the switch to stay on standard time permanently. State officials noted that Arizona’s long, hot days meant that extra daylight in the evening was not needed.
The Push for Year-Round Daylight Saving Time
There has been a push in recent years to make Daylight Saving Time permanent across the U.S. In fact, 18 states have passed laws or resolutions supporting this change. However, such a move requires approval from the federal government.
In 2022, the U.S. Senate passed the Sunshine Protection Act. This act aimed to make Daylight Saving Time permanent across the country. However, the House of Representatives did not take action on the bill, so the change did not happen.
When Will Daylight Saving Time Start Again?
For those who do observe Daylight Saving Time, it will start again on March 9, 2025. On this day, clocks will “spring forward” one hour at 2 a.m., marking the start of longer daylight hours in the evening.
