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March 11 is the new date for daylight saving time in 2007. Why set your clocks ahead 3 weeks early?
New daylight saving time begins on March 11, 2007. This is three weeks earlier than the usual day. Why the change in date and why do we make the change in the first place? Why Daylight Saving Time?Daylight saving time was created to “save daylight”. This change doesn’t give us more daylight – it just allows us to use the daylight hours we have in a more energy-efficient way. The change in the Northern Hemisphere takes an hour of morning daylight and in effect “moves” it to the evening hours – thus giving us those long bright evenings throughout the summer. In theory, we use less energy this way. “Studies done by the U.S. Department of Transportation show that Daylight Saving Time trims the entire country's electricity usage by a small but significant amount, about one percent each day, because less electricity is used for lighting and appliances.” [Daylight Savings Time Rationale] Daylight Saving Time HistoryThe idea for daylight saving time came from Benjamin Franklin in 1784 in an essay he wrote while in Paris. Even then, Franklin could see the energy saving advantages of making this change. Daylight saving time has been used in the United States since World War I, but it has not always been popular. The original daylight saving time law was enacted in 1918 but it was repealed in 1919 and states could individually decide whether to follow this change. During World War II year-round daylight saving time was adopted, but it wasn’t until 1966 when the Uniform Time Act of 1966 was passed that actual dates were set by law. According to that Act, daylight saving time began on the last Sunday of April and ended on the last Sunday of October. Individual states could still pass their own laws if they didn’t want to observe daylight saving time. In 1986, the dates in the U.S. were changed to begin at on the first Sunday of April and end on the last Sunday of October. New Dates Starting in 2007With growing concern over our energy problems and our increased need to find solutions, the dates for daylight saving time are changing again. As of March 11, 2007, daylight saving time in the United States will begin on the second Sunday in March and end on the first Sunday in November. Possible Problems Due to the ChangeBesides some computer-related issues, most problems surrounding this change have been addressed. Computers may need to have dates updated manually, and some technology may be temporarily affected, but this change should not have a big impact according to CNN.[Gerri Willis, March 5, 2007] Will it Help?Experts are predicting great energy savings by making this change. The real effects remain to be seen. In the meanwhile, enjoy the evening daylight and the seemingly longer days! For TeachersUse this information about the history and reasons for daylight saving time in lessons with your class. Have them read and research the changes in DST laws over the years. Ask them to start to keep track of energy savings at home – to see if they notice an impact from the change. Related articles:
The copyright of the article Change in Daylight Saving Time in Curricula/Lesson Plans is owned by Irene Taylor. Permission to republish Change in Daylight Saving Time in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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