Autumn has arrived, and thus the countdown begins for the change from daylight saving time to standard time.
Specifically, this change from daylight saving time to standard time will take place on the last Sunday of October, when clocks will be set back one hour. In other words, this is expected to happen in the early hours of Sunday, October 27, when the clock hands will turn back one hour from 4 a.m. to 3 a.m.
How it was established
Daylight saving time is based on a system aimed at making better use of daylight to save energy. In Greece and Europe, daylight saving time lasts for 7 months, while standard time (or solar time) begins on the last Sunday in October and is in effect for 5 months.
The first reference to the use of daylight saving time was by Benjamin Franklin in a letter published in a French newspaper. In this letter, there is no mention of changing the time, but a suggestion for people to wake up one hour earlier.
Today, the part of the global population that uses time changes is a minority, as almost all Asian and African countries do not participate. Some have abolished it, or are planning to abolish the measure.
The European Union decided to end mandatory time changes in 2021, allowing each member state to independently choose whether to make daylight saving time or standard time permanent.
In Greece, the relevant consultation has been postponed indefinitely.
Time Change 2024: When did it appear in Greece
In Greece, daylight saving time was first applied experimentally in 1932, specifically from July 6 to September 1, when clocks were set one hour ahead. However, the idea was quickly abandoned. Nevertheless, in 1973, due to the energy crisis that affected Europe, it was decided to adopt the measure of daylight saving time from a large number of states, including Greece at that time. The new measure was first implemented in our country in 1975 and continues to this day.
Thus, the difference concerning sunlight, which determines the actual time, became quite large, particularly in the western parts of the country and more so in Corfu.
In the following years, a simple shift in the opening hours of public services and stores by half an hour during the winter period was adopted.
However, two years after the energy crisis that broke out in Europe in 1973, it was decided to adopt the measure of daylight saving time by a large number of its states, including Greece. It was implemented in 1975.
Source: eleftherostypos.gr