The time changes this weekend: Why we still have to 'fall back'

Daylight saving time is ending this weekend, which means Americans will be changing their clocks again to fall back an hour and usher in less evening daylight as the seasons change. 

Americans who were hoping to end the practice of twice-yearly time changes are out of luck, as efforts to make daylight saving time permanent have stalled. Here’s what to know: 

When does daylight saving time end? 

Timeline:

Daylight saving time 2026 officially ends at 2 a.m. on Nov. 1, 2026. At that time, it becomes 1 a.m. Most phones and electronic devices update on their own now, but most appliances like ovens and microwaves need to be manually adjusted. 

History of daylight saving time

The backstory:

Daylight saving time is defined as a period between spring and fall when clocks in most parts of the country are set one hour ahead of standard time. According to federal law, it always starts on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November.

The practice of springing forward in the U.S. started in 1918 during World War I as a way to conserve fuel. By moving the clocks ahead an hour, backers believed the country could divert a bit of coal-fired electricity to the military instead of using it for an hour of home power. It was reenacted in World War II.

It was repealed again when the war ended, but some states — and even some cities — continued to observe daylight saving time while others kept standard time year-round. That meant driving relatively short distances could result in a time change.

By 1966, airlines and other businesses tired of such quirks and pushed Congress to pass the Uniform Time Act. It codified daylight saving time, although it has been modified periodically.

Most Americans already set their clocks forward one hour each spring to preserve more evening daylight before "falling back" one hour in November.

Daylight Saving Time is observed in 48 states. Hawaii and Arizona do not observe Daylight Saving Time, but the Navajo Nation in northeastern Arizona does observe it.  Several U.S. territories — American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands — also do not observe Daylight Saving Time.

Will we ever stop changing the clocks? 

Big picture view:

Lawmakers have tried unsuccessfully for years to make daylight saving time year-round. The Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight saving time permanent and end the practice of changing clocks twice yearly, passed the U.S. House in July in a 308-118 vote. The Senate, however, declined to take the issue up before the midterm elections, despite lobbying from President Donald Trump. It’s unclear whether the measure will be taken up when lawmakers return after the elections. Sen. Rick Scott, a Florida Republican and key sponsor of the bill, ‌told ⁠Reuters he was still confident it could pass.

RELATED: Permanent daylight savings change 'dead as disco' — at least for now

"It’s dead as disco," GOP Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana told Reuters. "My sense is it would have trouble ​passing."

Proponents, including Trump, say the change would provide more daylight during the times that Americans are most active. They’ve also said more sunlight in the evenings could boost tourism in winter months. 

Opponents have argued that permanent daylight saving time would lead to darker and potentially more hazardous winter mornings where children will be waiting for school buses and parents will be driving to work in darkness.

The Source: This article includes information from Reuters, The Associated Press and previous FOX Local reporting.