Daylight Saving Time 2012: When Do We Set the Clocks Back?

Ready to "fall back?"

Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, Nov. 4, at 2 a.m., right before the Presidential election on Nov. 6.

You will be setting your clock back one hour, following the adage of “spring forward, fall back.” The “extra” hour gives you a chance to catch up on the sleep you lost in March when the clocks moved forward and Daylight Saving Time began.

The federal government doesn’t require states to adopt Daylight Saving Time, so Arizona doesn’t. Indiana used to ignore Daylight Saving, but now observes it. Indiana is the only state, however, with counties in two time zones. Ones snuggled up close to Lake Michigan and Chicago are on Central Time, but the rest of the state is on Eastern Standard Time.

In an effort to save resources during World War II, the U.S. made daylight saving time mandatory for the whole country. And it was observed the entire year.

Some studies have shown that extending Daylight Saving Time results in a reduction in energy consumption; other studies suggest just the opposite.