Daylight Saving Time Starts in Lebanon

Daylight Saving Time (DST) generally starts in Lebanon on the last Sunday in March, when clocks are turned forward by one hour at 12:00 midnight local standard time, which becomes 1:00 AM local daylight time. The specific date can vary from year to year.

History

The practice of DST is rooted in the idea of making better use of daylight during the longer days of summer. Although Benjamin Franklin is often credited with the concept, modern DST was first proposed by George Vernon Hudson in 1895 and was first implemented during World War I to conserve energy.

Traditions

In Lebanon, there are no specific traditions associated with the beginning of Daylight Saving Time. It is primarily a practical change that affects schedules and daily routines rather than a cultural or festive event.

What People Do

On the day DST begins, Lebanese residents typically adjust their clocks before going to bed on Saturday night to avoid any confusion come Sunday morning. The shift may affect various activities and operations including transportation schedules, business hours, and prayer times. People might also take this opportunity to check and replace batteries in smoke detectors and other household safety devices, a practice encouraged in some countries though not specifically tied to any tradition in Lebanon.

Given its practical nature, DST does not involve ceremonies or public celebrations but does require individual and institutional adaptation to effectively shift the collective sense of time by one hour for several months until it ends usually on the last Sunday in October.