Dark in Sept., darker in Oct., Fall back in Nov.
mcg.metrocreativeconnection.com
Caribbean Life, OCTOBER 8-14, 2021 11
“The days grow short when
you reach September”
Kurt Weill, September Song
Broadway lyricist Kurt Weill
probably penned the words for
the 1938 musical “Knickerbocker
Holiday” after being inspired
by the month chilly temperatures
and other climate changes
decided the title of his composition
of “September Song.”
The melodic and lazy anthem
swoons an ode to the calendar
period noting the progressive
phenomenon that shifts the
long lingering light of summer
to shortened, darker dawns and
dusks as the advent of autumn.
Already a great many citizens
are lamenting the abrupt end of
summer and what seems like an
expedited arrival of darker days
in the year.
October offers even shorter
and darker days.
In addition, with falling
leaves, and early sunsets September
ushered a season of limited
outdoor activities, concealing
wardrobe and gloomy dawn
awakenings.
In that era, little did Weill
perceive a Daylight savings time,
the annual inevitable Congressional
mandate which took effect
this year on Sunday, March 13
at 2 am.
Nor was the composer familiar
with a concept to Spring forward…
and Fall back.
Sunday, Nov. 7, Daylight savings
time will end at 2:00 am.
That’s when the clock goes
back one hour, hence the
reminder to ‘fall back.’
Popular belief is that daylight
savings time originated to
accommodate farmers.
But some farmers argued the
one-hour difference in the fall
actually made their lives more
difficult because they had less
time to bring their crops and
products to markets.
Another version of its implementation
explained DST as a
method first used in Germany
and Britain in World War I to
save fuel.
Speculations ranged from
assuring safety for school children
to a myriad of logical reasons
including one that stated
Americans would be more likely
to spend more money because
given an extra hour, they would
be able to go shopping after work
if it was still light outside.
Some movie theater owners
claimed the practice would affect
business because patrons might
be less likely to go into a dark
theater when it’s bright outside.
Ultimately, the one-hour clock
conversion became a problem
when some states adopted the
measure and others refused.
As a result, in 1966, President
Lyndon B. Johnson signed the
Uniform Time Act, declaring six
months with daylight savings
time and six months without.
He also suggested that individual
states ‘could opt in or
out depending on their constituents’
needs to avoid confusion
between municipalities.’
Seven years later, President
Richard Nixon called for permanent
daylight savings time to
cope with the fuel embargo.
But his ideals fell by the wayside
and the six-month precedent
was upheld.
Another adjustment in 1986,
extended daylight savings time
to seven months.
By 2005, eight months of daylight
savings time guided the
calendar.
It’s debatable whether or not
daylight savings time actually
saves energy or fuel.
According to the US Department
of Transportation, daylight
savings time saves energy
because people use fewer lights
in their home and spend more
time outdoors.
Reportedly, there is also a
correlation with fewer traffic
accidents and injuries, as more
people are commuting during
daylight, as well as a reduced
crime rate because of increased
daylight.
Catch You On The Inside!
Inside Life
By Vinette K. Pryce
GET READY for a fresh opportunity
JOB FAIR
THURSDAY, OCT 14 11AM-5PM
KINGS PLAZA, UPPER LEVEL NEAR BEST BUY
Seeking qualified applicants to fill new retail and retail
management positions at Kings Plaza. Positions with companies
outside of the mall may also be available. Candidates are
encouraged to bring a resume. Face masks required.
VISIT KingsPlazaOnline.com/Events
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams
Councilmember Alan Maisel
Senator Roxanne Persaud
Councilmember Farah N. Louis
Assemblymember Jaime R. Williams
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