Daylight Savings Time Commences
Daylight saving time commenced on March 8, 2026, at 2 a.m. local time, advancing clocks one hour forward. Most regions of the United States experienced a loss of one hour of sleep due to this time change.
Sunrise and Sunset Changes
In Boston, the sun rose at 6:09 a.m. and set at 5:41 p.m. on March 7, 2026, before the time change. After the clocks moved forward, the sunrise occurred at 7:08 a.m. and sunset at 6:42 p.m. on March 8, 2026.
Duration of Daylight Saving Time
Daylight saving time will be observed for 238 days in 2026, concluding at 2 a.m. local time on November 1, 2026. Notably, only Hawaii and Arizona do not observe daylight saving time, with the exception of the Navajo Nation in Arizona.
The practice of daylight saving time was first adopted in the United States in 1918 to conserve fuel during World War I. Since 2007, daylight saving time has begun on the second Sunday of March, a change from the previous start date of the first Sunday of April.
Before 1987, the Uniform Time Act of 1966 designated the start date as the last Sunday of April. An experiment with year-round daylight saving time occurred in 1974 during the energy crisis, but it was not sustained.
Ongoing Debate
Daylight saving time has been a source of debate, with experts arguing it disrupts sleep and creates confusion over clock changes. Observers continue to discuss its relevance and impact on daily life.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding any potential changes to the observance of daylight saving time in the future.
