Daylight savings time starts

Daylight savings time in Germany starts March 27. Clocks have to be reset by one hour, from 2 a.m. to 3 a.m. Germans call the period from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October “summertime.”

The official introduction of summertime in Germany took place in 1980. It was ordered to save energy and fully use daylight. The reason for energy saving dates back to the fuel crisis in 1973, when fuel supplies were low.

Also, Germany wanted to adjust the time to the other European countries, which introduced summertime earlier.

According to the federal environmental office, energy consumption increased during summer time. This is contrary to initial intentions and hopes. In the evening, there is a savings in electrical light, but in the morning, more heat is needed since it still is cool. But most people wanted to stick to summertime after a probation period because they liked the longer daylight in the evenings.

Actually, changes of the clock took place before. The first time from 1916 to 1918, and then again 1940 to 1949. In 1947, clocks were even reset by two hours.

Today, summertime in Central Europe always starts the last Sunday in March and “wintertime,” which is also considered normal time, begins the last Sunday in October, when clocks are set from 3 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Daylight savings time in the United States starts a week later than in Europe, the first Sunday in April.