What Time Is It? Daylight Saving Time 2012
On Sunday morning many people were asking, "What time is it?" Daylight Saving Time 2012 began on Sunday, March 11, 2012, at 2 a.m. Reuters

Daylight Saving Time (DST) comes on Sunday, March 11. The good news is you will have a longer and warmer season, but the bad news is you will lose one hour of sleep in the morning.

This year, DST will range from March 11 until Nov. 4. Except for those who live Hawaii, Arizona and the Midway Islands and Wake Island, all the people in the U.S. should observe daylight saving time.

Here are top 5 important things you should know.

1. The Origin

Benjamin Franklin had proposed the idea of DST to save time and energy. However, Britain and Germany first began using the concept in World War I to conserve energy. The U.S. had used DST during the war, but had later cancelled it. Until 1966, DST was restarted, and applied from the last Sunday in April until the last Sunday in October.

After several changes, from 2007 DST began to be applied from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November, or almost two-thirds of the year.

2. Effect

The effect of DST is controversial. It can provide more time in the day for the life and work, but may cause problems for evening entertainment and other occupations tied to the sun. And the effect on health and crime is less clear.

Even though the original intention of DST is to save energy, DST effect on energy use is limited and even contradictory due to the great need for the modern heating and cooling usage patterns.

And because of the time changeover, some problems, involving timekeeping, recordkeeping, sleep patterns and more, are caused.

3. Time Switch

Thank to the technology, some modern clocks helps their users avoid resetting steps when DST begins and ends. For instance, the time on the smartphone or laptop can adjust to the proper time, automatically.

4. Adjust

How to adjust to DST quickly and healthily? Basically, you should go to bed earlier and stick to your normal routine. For reference, you can check Medical News Today and get more tips.

5. Petition

Some people might hate to lost one hour of sleep during DST. Probably, they are the ones most curious to know how to end DST.

These people will be interested in clicking End Daylight Saving Time, and submitting their petition to “Stop the madness of changing the time twice a year.”

Watch the video to know more about DST.