Tonight, we set our clocks back an hour as Daylight Saving Time (DST) ends, a practice rooted in efforts to conserve energy.

Originating from an idea by Benjamin Franklin and popularized during World War I, DST was formalized in the U.S. in 1966. Every fall, clocks “fall back,” allowing for earlier morning light and darker evenings.

While some see DST as energy-saving, debates continue over its benefits, with some questioning its continued relevance.