Daylight Saving Time Ends November 2, 2025: Health, Politics, and History

Daylight saving time is coming to an end for 2025

Daylight saving time (DST) will end on Sunday, November 2, 2025, when clocks "fall back" one hour. This annual time change, occurring at 2 a.m. local time, will grant most Americans an extra hour of sleep but also bring earlier darkness in the evening and earlier sunrises. The practice of daylight saving time, its health effects, historical background, and ongoing political debates around making it permanent or abolishing it altogether remain highly relevant issues as the 2025 change approaches.

Key points:

• On November 2, 2025, at 2 a.m., clocks will be set back to 1 a.m., ending daylight saving time for the year.
• Most U.S. states observe DST except Hawaii, Arizona (except Navajo Nation), and several U.S. territories.
• There is significant public and political debate about abolishing clock changes or making DST permanent, with health, social, and economic factors at play.
• Research links clock changes to negative health outcomes including increased heart attacks, strokes, depressive episodes, and traffic accidents.
• Past attempts to make DST permanent, notably in 1974 under President Nixon and more recently with the Sunshine Protection Act, have stalled in Congress.

Understanding the 2025 Daylight Saving Time Change

Daylight saving time will officially end at 2 a.m. on November 2, 2025, when clocks will turn back one hour to 1 a.m. This means most Americans will "gain" an hour of sleep that night. However, this change also means earlier evenings will become darker sooner, and sunrises will occur earlier in the morning.

DST began for the current cycle on March 9, 2025, and will resume on March 8, 2026, when clocks will "spring forward" one hour. While many digital devices update automatically, it is important to manually adjust clocks and watches that do not.

Origins and History of Daylight Saving Time

Daylight saving time has roots going back over a century, but its precise origin is complex. Some attribute its creation to farmers’ needs, others to energy saving during wartime. Germany was the first to adopt DST in 1916 during World War I as a measure to conserve fuel. This was soon adopted by other European countries and the United States.

William Willett, a British builder and golf enthusiast, was a key early advocate for daylight saving time, publishing a pamphlet in 1907 entitled "The Waste of Daylight" that urged clocks to be moved forward in April and back in September. Legislative efforts in Britain failed initially, but several countries began official DST during wartime.

In the U.S., daylight saving time was formalized as law with the Uniform Time Act of 1966, establishing the biannual clock changes, though some states and territories have opted out.

States and Territories Not Observing Daylight Saving Time

The majority of U.S. states observe daylight saving time, with notable exceptions:

• Hawaii
• Arizona (except within the Navajo Nation)
• U.S. territories including American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands

States have the option to opt out of observing DST but cannot independently establish permanent DST without federal approval.

Public Opinion and Legislative Attempts to Change DST

Surveys show widespread dissatisfaction with the current system of changing clocks twice a year. A 2022 CBS News/YouGov poll indicated nearly 80% of Americans favor altering the current DST system, with many preferring permanent daylight saving time.

In 2022, the U.S. Senate passed the Sunshine Protection Act, legislation that would make daylight saving time permanent, but the bill stalled in the House of Representatives. President Donald Trump, before his potential second term, supported abolishing the clock changes, citing inconvenience and cost.

However, opposition remains. Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas has blocked efforts to advance the bill, arguing that permanent DST would cause dark winter mornings detrimental to public safety and well-being.

Florida has been a strong advocate for permanent DST, with lawmakers like Marco Rubio repeatedly introducing related legislation, though such attempts have not yet passed.

Health Impacts of Daylight Saving Time

Research increasingly shows that the biannual clock changes negatively affect health. The shift forward in spring, which causes loss of one hour’s sleep, has been linked to:

• Increased risk of heart attacks (studies across multiple countries show a rise soon after the spring shift)
• Increased stroke incidence
• Higher rates of depressive episodes, anxiety, and substance abuse
• Increased fatal traffic accidents following the spring clock change

The body’s circadian rhythm, governed by natural light cues, is disrupted by changing clocks, causing physiological stress. Morning darkness during permanent DST makes it harder for people to stay in sync with their natural sleep-wake cycle. Studies argue that permanent standard time better aligns with human biology and may reduce risks like stroke and obesity.

Historical Attempts at Permanent DST

In 1974, President Richard Nixon instituted permanent daylight saving time as an energy-saving response to the oil crisis, intending to keep the clocks forward year-round. However, due to public dissatisfaction and political turmoil (including Nixon’s resignation following Watergate), this policy lasted only a few months before the Senate repealed it.

Subsequent attempts, including Britain's experiment with British Standard Time in the late 1960s and recurring U.S. legislative efforts in recent years, have failed due to public preference and scientific advice against permanent DST.

Economic and Social Considerations

Beyond health, the clock changes impose economic costs. Research from the London School of Economics estimates that changing the clocks twice per year costs economies roughly €750 ($881) per capita annually due to decreased productivity and health impacts.

While extended evening daylight may benefit retail and leisure industries, it conflicts with biological and social needs. The debate includes lobbying from the golf and retail sectors against groups like medical professionals and broadcasters who support standard time.

Opposition and Ongoing Debate in Congress

Efforts to pass the Sunshine Protection Act face resistance. Senator Tom Cotton emphasizes the dangers of darker winter mornings under permanent DST, particularly for children and workers. He pledges ongoing opposition based on concerns for safety and well-being, highlighting past failures in Congress on this issue.

Supporters argue that states' rights and public opinion justify permanent DST. The bill has bipartisan backing but has not secured sufficient momentum to reach a vote in the House by 2025.

Conclusion: The Complex Future of Daylight Saving Time

As the U.S. prepares to "fall back" on November 2, 2025, the future of daylight saving time remains uncertain. While many Americans look forward to the extra hour of sleep, the long-term health, safety, and economic impacts of time changes continue to fuel debate.

Studies favor permanent standard time for better health outcomes, but political and public opinions are divided, particularly with strong regional preferences and economic interests. Until decisive federal policy changes occur, Americans will likely continue to adjust clocks twice yearly, balancing convenience, tradition, and health concerns.

For further updates on daylight saving time changes and their implications, stay tuned to trusted news sources and scientific reports.