Q: What is the main reason for continuing to have a time change every fall and spring? Why doesn’t Arizona and Hawaii change?
—Rosemary Traver, Peachtree City
A: Countries didn't implement daylight saving time (DST) until Germany moved clocks forward in 1916 to save fuel during World War I. The U.S. tried it from 1918-19, but it was quickly repealed, leaving DST to become a local option between the wars. President Franklin Roosevelt instituted year-round DST, called "War Time," from 1942-45, but it stopped when World War II ended. With no national law, cities and states were free to choose to change clocks, which caused confusion with transportation schedules, and radio and TV broadcasts until the Uniform Time Act of 1966. States can opt out of the Uniform Time Act, which is what Hawaii did in 1967. Arizona dropped DST in 1968 because increased sunlight hours in the desert climate means increased energy usage. (However, the Navajo Indian Reservation in Arizona does follow DST.) A 2008 Department of Energy study found that energy usage decreases about 0.5 percent a day during DST.
Q: I recognize several of the flags at Liberty Plaza, in front of the Capitol, such as Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Maryland. What are the flags and what is their significance?
—David Enniss, Atlanta
A: The flags at Liberty Plaza, which opened Jan. 16, represent the 13 original colonies with their current state flag. The U.S. flag and Liberty Plaza flag also are displayed. The $4.4 million plaza was built with funds from the Georgia Building Authority selling unused state buildings, the AJC reported.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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