In Jacksonville, Florida, the annual ritual of setting our clocks back is upon us. Daylight saving time concludes at 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 2, granting an extra hour of sleep but ushering in much earlier sunsets. On Saturday, the sun will bid farewell at 6:38 p.m., but by Sunday, it will set an hour earlier at 5:38 p.m. Early risers will appreciate the brighter mornings this change brings, yet those who cherish extended evenings will have to wait until January 29 for the sun to set past 6 p.m. once more, well after the winter solstice.

This biannual clock adjustment is not just about our schedules but also highlights the natural shortening of daylight. Throughout November, the South experiences about a 30-minute reduction in daylight, while regions further north, like North Dakota and Montana, can witness over an hour of lost daylight by the end of the month.

Daylight saving time has roots tracing back to 1918 in the United States, initially implemented to conserve energy during wartime. While most states continue to observe it, Hawaii and most of Arizona remain on standard time throughout the year. This practice extends beyond the U.S., with countries such as Canada, Mexico, and several European nations also making the biannual shift.

Daylight saving time was first adopted in the United States in 1918, designed originally to conserve energy during wartime. Most states still observe it, but Hawaii and most of Arizona opt out and remain on standard time year-round. Other nations, including Canada, Mexico, and much of Europe, also adjust their clocks twice a year.

This yearly change continues to be a hot topic with multiple proposals to end the practice.