Timezones and time changes in the United States

There are 6 different timezones in the United States of America. Countries with a large distance from west to east are often devided into two or more timezones to adjust daytimes to the position of the sun. Timezones are always computed relative to UTC, the “Universal Time Coordinated”.In the United States of America, there is a time difference of up to five hours between the east and the west. Like in most parts of the USA, there is a distinction in the United States of America drawn between standard time and daylight saving time (also called winter time and summer time), but this distinction is not nationwide.The next clock change in New York will be on November 05th, 2023 at 2:00 to standard time. The clocks are then set back one hour.

Timezones by region

Since November 1883, there have been uniform time zones in the United States – before that, there was a jumble of over 300 different times and even more zones, which already varied from city to city. Each place set its own time based on the position of the sun. And not even that could be reliably measured with the methods of the time. This was a real challenge, especially for transportation and railroads. Thus, to this day, the Ministry of Transport is responsible for the allocation of time zones and the timing of time changes.

Since November 1883, there have been uniform time zones in the United States – before that, there was a jumble of over 300 different times and even more zones, which already varied from city to city. Each place set its own time based on the position of the sun. And not even that could be reliably measured with the methods of the time. This was a real challenge, especially for transportation and railroads. Thus, to this day, the Ministry of Transport is responsible for the allocation of time zones and the timing of time changes.

Four standard times were initially introduced in the contiguous continental United States:

• Eastern Standard Time
• Central Standard Time
• Mountain Standard Time
• Pacific Standard Time

It is worth noting that the time zones are not always aligned with state boundaries. This is often the case, but not always. As many as 14 of the 50 states have two time zones. In northern Arizona, there are even areas that don’t even switch to daylight saving time.

It is worth noting that the time zones are not always aligned with state boundaries. This is often the case, but not always. As many as 14 of the 50 states have two time zones. In northern Arizona, there are even areas that don’t even switch to daylight saving time.

Later, Alaska and Hawaii also got their own time zones. Outside these areas, there are other territories of the USA with their own time zones as well:

• Puerto Rico and the American Virgin Islands with Atlantic Time.
• American Samoa received its own time zone, which today also includes the atolls Midway and Palmyra, as well as Kingman Reef.
• Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands are in Chamorro Time (UTC+10). Together with Wake Atoll (UTC+12), they are on the other side of the International Date Line.

Daylight Saving Time in the USA

Earlier than in most other countries, daylight saving time was introduced by Benjamin Franklin in 1784. However, it was not implemented until 1918 during the First World War. Today, daylight saving time is introduced on the same day throughout the country. It always begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November. Only Hawaii and most of Arizona remain on standard time all year. Unlike Europe, for example, the clock is turned on the same night, but not at the same time. The time change in the USA always takes place at 2 o’clock of the respective local time.

The next clock changes in New York

DateLocal timeChangeNov 06, 20222:00 am-1 hour to standard timeMar 12, 20232:00 am+1 hour to daylight saving timeNov 05, 20232:00 am-1 hour to standard timeMar 10, 20242:00 am+1 hour to daylight saving timeNov 03, 20242:00 am-1 hour to standard timeMar 09, 20252:00 am+1 hour to daylight saving timeNov 02, 20252:00 am-1 hour to standard timeMar 08, 20262:00 am+1 hour to daylight saving timeNov 01, 20262:00 am-1 hour to standard timeMar 14, 20272:00 am+1 hour to daylight saving time

Changes in Daylight Saving Times

In Phoenix Daylight Saving Time has been observed since 1918 until 10/29/1967.
In Honolulu Daylight Saving Time has been observed since 1933 until 09/30/1945.

› All countries with Daylight Saving Time

Earlier than in most other countries, daylight saving time was introduced by Benjamin Franklin in 1784. However, it was not implemented until 1918 during the First World War. Today, daylight saving time is introduced on the same day throughout the country. It always begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November. Only Hawaii and most of Arizona remain on standard time all year. Unlike Europe, for example, the clock is turned on the same night, but not at the same time. The time change in the USA always takes place at 2 o’clock of the respective local time.InDaylight Saving Time has been observed since 1918 until 10/29/1967.InDaylight Saving Time has been observed since 1933 until 09/30/1945.