Why do we turn the clocks back? Daylight saving time is ending. Here are answers to your questions

Daylight saving time was first enacted by the federal government March 19, 1918, during World War I, as a way to conserve coal.

As the annual eight-month run ends at 2 a.m. on Nov. 3, here are some facts about daylight saving time you may not have known:

What is the purpose of daylight saving time? 

While not necessarily advocating changing time, Benjamin Franklin urged his fellow countrymen to work during daylight and sleep after dark, thus saving money on candles. (It was likely a tongue-in-cheek comment.)

But daylight saving time saves energy, according to the U.S. Transportation Department. 

During daylight saving time, the sun sets one hour later – and presumably people will use less electricity for lights and appliances because it stays light longer and they may spend more time outside. 

The government also says it saves lives, prevents traffic injuries and reduces crime as more people are out and about during daylight, as well as traveling to school and work when it's light out.

What the president says:Trump says move to make daylight saving time 'permanent is O.K. with me!'

When did daylight saving time start in the US?

Daylight saving time was first enacted by the federal government March 19, 1918, during World War I, as a way to conserve coal. 

But daylight saving didn't become a federal law until 1966, with passage of the Uniform Time Act. It established daylight saving time from the last Sunday of April through the last Sunday of October.

After one change in 1987, the period was further extended in 2007, pushing it through the first Sunday of November. The U.S. Department of Transportation is in charge of time in the U.S., including time zones and daylight saving time.

Health and safety:How daylight saving affects you

What states do not do daylight saving time?

Only two states don't observe it – Hawaii and Arizona. Other non-observers include American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Parts of Indiana didn't observe daylight saving time until 2006, when it became a law statewide.

Federal law does allow states to remain in standard time all year, but states must first get approval from Congress before making daylight saving time permanent. 

And there are several states that want to do this: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Nevada, Oregon, Tennessee and Washington have approved legislation to make daylight saving time year-round, though they still would need federal approval. 

A handful of other states – including Alaska, California, Iowa, Massachusetts, Texas, Utah and Vermont – have introduced legislation to make changes to how they observe daylight saving time.

Why not observe DST? These states want to make daylight saving time permanent

Another fun fact: During the energy crisis of the 1970s, Congress ordered states to go on year-round daylight saving time between January 1974 and April 1975.

What time do we turn the clocks back?

Eight months of the year are in daylight time, and four months are in standard time.

We turn the clocks back one hour at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday of November. Then on the second Sunday in March, we gain the hour back. 

Grammar check: It's actually saving - not savings

The correct term is daylight "saving" (not savings) time. The incorrect term “daylight savings time” is commonly used, especially in Australia, Canada and the United States. It's also supposed to be lowercase, not uppercase, according to the Associated Press stylebook.

Joshua Bote contributed reporting.