From the History category

by Andrew Ismail in History

On Tuesday evening, approximately 2,200 files containing over 63,000 pages related to the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy were released by the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. This release follows President Trump's 2017 order to declassify remaining files, though some were withheld due to national security concerns. The majority of the over 6 million pages of records in the National Archives' collection had been previously released. While the Warren Commission concluded Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, the release continues to fuel decades of conspiracy theories. Newly released documents offer details on Oswald's activities in Mexico City weeks before the assassination, including contacts with Soviet and Cuban embassies. The documents also shed light on the operations of intelligence services during the Cold War. The release of these files has reignited interest in the case and is expected to spur further research and analysis.


by Arturo Iglesias in History

Most Americans will soon 'spring forward' an hour, but have you ever wondered about the history of daylight saving time (DST)? This practice, used in about 70 countries, began in the 1890s with proposals by George Vernon Hudson and William Willett, but it wasn't until World War I that Germany adopted it to save energy. The U.S. followed suit, implementing "war time" during both World Wars. After WWII, a patchwork of timekeeping caused widespread confusion until the 1966 Uniform Time Act standardized DST implementation. The article highlights the chaos that can result from inconsistencies in DST implementation, using the example of Lebanon's last-minute decision to delay the start of DST in 2023. The article also explores the consequences of not changing the clocks, noting that year-round DST was unpopular in the 1970s due to the late sunrises in winter. Finally, the story features the early adoption of DST in Thunder Bay, Canada, which demonstrates the potential benefits of the practice, especially in northern latitudes.


by Alan Iverson in History

Most Americans will once again set their clocks forward this weekend. But where did this tradition come from? The history of daylight saving time spans over a century, influenced by world wars, mass confusion, and our desire for more sunlight. While about 70 countries use it, there's ongoing debate about its effectiveness. The extra daylight encourages outdoor activities, but the time change itself can disrupt our systems. Initially proposed by George Vernon Hudson and William Willett, daylight saving time was first implemented in Germany during WWI to save energy. The US followed suit and used it year-round during WWII. After WWII, inconsistent adoption across the US led to significant confusion, resolved by the 1966 Uniform Time Act. Even today, issues persist, such as Lebanon's recent last-minute change that caused widespread chaos. The debate continues between year-round standard time, year-round daylight saving time, or the current system. The 1970s energy crisis saw a failed attempt at year-round daylight saving time, due to unpopular dark mornings. Thunder Bay, Canada, provides an early example of daylight saving time adoption, though with initial confusion. Today, the long summer days in Thunder Bay, due to its northern location and daylight saving time, are a major draw for residents.