Autumn has arrived, and thus the countdown for the change of the clocks from summer to winter time slowly begins.
Specifically, this change from summer to winter time will occur on the last Sunday of October, when the clocks will go back one hour. In other words, this is expected to happen in the early morning 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 better utilizing daylight to save energy. In Greece and Europe, daylight saving time lasts for 7 months, while winter time (or standard time) starts on the last Sunday of October and is applied for 5 months.
The first reference to the use of daylight saving time comes from 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 section of the global population that uses time changes is a minority, as almost all Asian and African countries do not participate. Others have abolished it or are planning to abolish the measure.
The European Union decided to stop the mandatory time change in 2021, giving each member state the opportunity to independently choose the permanent application of either summer or winter time.
In Greece, the relevant consultation was postponed indefinitely.
Time Change 2024: When it appeared in Greece
In Greece, daylight saving time was first applied on a trial basis in 1932, specifically from July 6 to September 1, when the clocks went one hour forward. However, the idea was quickly abandoned. Nevertheless, in 1973, due to the energy crisis that struck Europe, the adoption of daylight saving time was decided by a large number of states, including Greece at the time. The new measure was first implemented in our country in 1975 and continues to this day.
Thus, the difference concerning the sunlight that also dictates the real time became very large, mainly in the western parts of the country, and more so in Corfu.
In the following years, a simple shift of the opening hours of public services and shops by half an hour was adopted during the winter period.
However, two years after the energy crisis that broke out in Europe in 1973, the adoption of daylight saving time was decided by a large number of its countries, including Greece. It was put into effect in 1975.
Source: eleftherostypos.gr