Dear Editor:
The Federation of the Swiss Watch industry, the official organization representing Swiss watch members in the United States, would like to take a moment to issue this public service reminder that Daylight Saving Time ends this weekend.
Across the country, people turn clocks back on hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday, October 29 (or before they go to bed on Saturday, October 28).
Daylight Saving Time is a practice that was begun in 1918 when U.S. Congress adopted the program as part of the World War I effort. In 1919, Congress scrapped DST though some cities throughout the country opted to continue it. In fact, from 1918 through 1967, various states individually — and for a period the nation as a whole — were on a variety of time programs, including “War Time” during World War II.
It was not until 1967 that Congress put into effect the Uniform Time Act, which instituted Daylight Saving Time for the nation, starting at 2 a.m. on the last Sunday in April and ending at 2 a.m. on the last Sunday in October. In 1986, President Reagan signed a bill that became effective in 1987, that moved the start of Daylight Saving Time to the first Sunday in April, but left the end at the last Sunday in October. Currently, several U.S. states and possessions are exempt by law from implementing DST.
Along with the time change, come a few other important time and safety related matters:
Set clocks, watches and VCRs back one hour.
Change timers on lights and security systems in homes and offices.
Because it gets dark even earlier now, remember to discuss curfews and safety tips with ;young children.
The Swiss Watch Federation’s public service message about Daylight Saving Time is meant to bring you a safe, healthy, timely season. For other information on Swiss watches, visit the Federation’s website: www.swisswatch.org.
Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry