As the days grow shorter and the chill of autumn settles in, it’s that time of year again: daylight saving time will officially end on Sunday, November 3, as confirmed by the Old Farmer’s Almanac. The clock change will take place at 2 a.m. local time, rather than the more commonly assumed midnight. To avoid confusion, the Almanac recommends setting your clocks back an hour before heading to bed on Saturday night.

Daylight saving time, often mistakenly referred to as “daylight savings,” was initially introduced to make better use of natural daylight. The idea was to provide longer daylight hours in the summer evenings while also allowing for brighter mornings in the winter. However, a common misconception is that this practice was designed to benefit farmers by extending their working hours. In truth, the Old Farmer’s Almanac clarifies that daylight saving time can actually disrupt livestock routines, as animals rely on their internal clocks aligned with the natural cycles of sunrise and sunset. The origins of daylight saving time date back to World War I, when it was signed into law in 1918 as a fuel-saving measure. However, this legislation was short-lived, lasting only until 1919. The concept resurfaced during World War II under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who established year-round daylight saving time. Since then, numerous amendments and laws have shaped the daylight saving practices we follow today.

As we prepare to “fall back” this November, remember to set your clocks back an hour the first Saturday night of the month, and enjoy the extra hour of sleep!