Most in the United States do this twice a year, but do many know why? We’re talking daylight savings time beginning and ending, each resulting in the turn of the hour hand. 70 other countries also participate in daylight savings time though Hawaii and Arizona have opted out.
When we go to bed on Saturday night we’ll be moving our clock back one hour (remember, Spring Forward, Fall Back>) but do you know why? The whole idea of moving the clock around to give people more sunlight as the seasons change originated with Benjamin Franklin. He thought people would save money on candles. The idea didn’t take off until World War I when the countries at war started to set clocks back to save on coal. As time moved on many thought the time change would save on electricity though recent studies show differently.
Studies also show that the change in sleep patterns also may lead to heart attacks. Many countries are now evaluating the need for Daylight Savings Time, but in the meantime, don’t forget to turn your clocks back and enjoy an extra hour of sleep Sunday morning!