In the United States, Daylight Saving Time (DST) is a practice where clocks are adjusted forward by one hour during the summer months to extend evening daylight. However, in most of the state of Arizona, including its largest city, Phoenix, DST is not observed. This means that the clocks in these areas remain unchanged throughout the year.
Arizona is one of only two states in the contiguous United States that does not observe DST, the other being Hawaii. The rest of the country typically observes DST from the second Sunday in March until the first Sunday in November. During this period, clocks are set an hour ahead in the spring and an hour back in the fall.
The decision not to observe DST in Arizona can be traced back to the energy crisis of the 1970s. In an effort to conserve energy, the state decided to adopt a consistent time year-round. This decision was intended to minimize energy consumption by reducing the need for artificial lighting in the evenings. Since then, the state has remained on Mountain Standard Time (MST) throughout the year.
While most of Arizona does not participate in DST, there are some exceptions. The Navajo Nation, which spans parts of Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico, does observe DST. This means that some areas within Arizona will adjust their clocks during the DST period to align with the time changes in neighboring states.
The lack of DST in most of Arizona can have both advantages and disadvantages. On the positive side, it provides consistency and eliminates the need to adjust clocks twice a year. It also means that residents can enjoy longer evenings during the summer months. However, it can also lead to inconsistencies in timekeeping, especially for those living or working near the Navajo Nation, which does observe DST.
In conclusion, Daylight Saving Time is not observed in most of the state of Arizona, including Phoenix. This unique approach to timekeeping has its roots in the energy crisis of the 1970s and continues to provide a consistent time experience for residents throughout the year.
Source: Time and Date
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