WOODROW WILSON’S DECISION TO SIGN THE STANDARD TIME ACT CHANGES AMERICA FOREVER

On March 19th, 1918, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson signed the Standard Time Act into law, which established Daylight Saving Time (DST) in the United States. This legislation also gave the federal government oversight of the country’s time zones.

The purpose of DST is to conserve energy by extending daylight hours during the summer months. The idea had been proposed by Benjamin Franklin in the 18th century, but it wasn’t until World War I that DST was first implemented in the United States.

During the war, energy conservation was a critical concern, and DST was seen as a way to reduce the amount of coal needed to produce electricity. The Standard Time Act was passed in response to this need and established DST as a nationwide policy.

Under the Standard Time Act, DST began on March 31st, 1918 and lasted until October 27th of that same year. However, the law was repealed the following year due to public opposition and confusion over the different time zones.

It wasn’t until the Uniform Time Act of 1966 that DST was once again established as a national policy in the United States. This law standardized the start and end dates for DST, which now begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November.

While DST has been controversial at times, it remains an important policy in the United States and around the world. It is estimated that DST saves electricity, reduces traffic accidents, and provides more opportunities for outdoor activities during the longer summer days.