As the evenings in the United Kingdom grow darker, the end of British Summer Time (BST) approaches, with clocks set to fall back an hour in the early hours of Sunday, October 27. This transition marks the return to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), and clocks will remain on GMT until 1 a.m. on Sunday, March 30, 2025, when they will spring forward again.
To remember the clock changes, a helpful saying is that clocks “spring” forward in the spring and “fall” back in the fall (autumn). The autumn adjustment is often perceived positively, providing either an extra hour of sleep or leisure time, although it can be less favorable for shift workers facing an extended work hour.
Daylight Savings Time (DST) originated in Germany in 1916 during World War I, aiming to conserve energy by reducing the need for electric lighting and heating in the evenings. Following Germany’s lead, the UK adopted this system, labeling it British Summer Time (BST). During World War II, the UK even implemented British Double Summer Time, advancing clocks by two hours to enhance productivity.
Debates about the continuation of British Summer Time persist, with supporters arguing that lighter evenings lead to fewer road traffic accidents and enable farmers to maximize their working hours. Conversely, critics contend that the biannual clock changes can mimic the effects of minor jet lag, impacting mental well-being, particularly after losing an hour of sleep in spring.
While the UK maintains its current DST practices, many countries in the northern hemisphere, including most of Europe and North America, also observe similar clock changes. Notably, Egypt is the sole African nation to implement DST, while Israel, Palestine, and Lebanon follow suit. In the southern hemisphere, select regions in South America and Oceania participate in DST, although not all countries adjust their clocks on the same dates. For instance, Australia switched to daylight saving on October 6, and the US will revert clocks on November 3. Uniquely, Lord Howe Island, located off Australia’s east coast, adjusts its time by only 30 minutes during summer, aligning with New South Wales.
