2020 Daylight Saving Time Begins Sunday

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Cary, NC — Sunrise and sunset times will be one hour later with more light in the evenings here in Cary and across the country starting this Sunday.

When local time reaches 2 AM on Sunday, March 8, 2020, clocks will be turned forward one hour to 3 AM local time. Then again, if you’re no insomniac, it may be best to get your alarms switched over the night before.

Digging a bit deeper into the practice of Daylight Saving Time, here are a few interesting tidbits on DST.

Fun Facts on DST

  • Less than 40% of the countries in the world observe the practice of Daylight Saving Time.
  • As of 2014, the following states and territories are not observing DST: Arizona, Hawaii, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
  • Daylight Saving Time was first enacted by the federal government on March 19, 1918, during World War I, as a way to conserve coal.
  • Some countries use it to make better use of natural daylight in the evenings.
  • The difference in light is most noticeable in the areas at a certain distance from Earth’s equator.
  • Some studies show that DST could lead to fewer road accidents and injuries by supplying more daylight during the hours more people use the roads.
  • Other studies claim that people’s health might suffer due to DST changes.
  • DST is also used to reduce the amount of energy needed for artificial lighting during the evening hours.

Story and photo by Ashley Kairis.