Daylight Saving Time Starts in Germany

Day: Daylight Saving Time (DST) in Germany typically begins on the last Sunday in March, as part of a coordinated effort across many European countries.

History: The practice of DST was first proposed by George Vernon Hudson in 1895 and was later implemented during World War I to conserve energy. Germany was one of the first countries to adopt DST, starting on April 30, 1916, during World War I to save coal for military use. The practice has since been adopted, abolished, and re-adopted several times throughout the years.

Traditions: There are no specific traditions associated with the start of Daylight Saving Time. Instead, it is a functional change that people adjust to:

• Clock Adjustment: At 2:00 AM local time, clocks are turned forward to 3:00 AM.
• Preparation: Many people prepare for the time change by adjusting their sleep schedules or setting reminders to change their clocks.
• Public Services: Public transportation schedules and other services update their timetables to reflect the change.

What People Do: On the day DST starts:

• Individuals set their clocks forward one hour before going to bed on Saturday night or upon waking up on Sunday.
• People often take advantage of the longer daylight hours in the evening for outdoor activities such as walking or cycling.
• It's common for discussions about the benefits and drawbacks of DST to resurface around this time.

Note: The European Union has voted to abolish DST from 2021 onwards; however, this has not been implemented yet due to member states not agreeing on a common approach. As such, Germany continues to observe DST for now.