Michigan’s History with Time Changes

Michigan’s experience with time changes has evolved significantly over the years, shaped by a mixture of federal legislation, state referendums, and unique local decisions. Here’s how the state transitioned from adopting its first time standard in the late 1800s to aligning with today’s nationwide observance of Daylight Saving Time (DST).

Timeline of Time Observance in Michigan

1883

On October 11, U.S. and Canadian railroads adopt standardized time zones at the General Time Convention in Chicago. A second meeting, the Southern Time Convention, occurs in New York on October 17.

1884

Twenty-four global standard time zones are established by the International Meridian Conference in Washington, D.C., creating a worldwide framework for standardized time.

1885

Michigan’s Legislature legalizes Central Standard Time statewide under the Michigan Legislature Act (1885 PA 6).

1918

The United States enacts the Standard Time Act on March 19, adopting four primary standard time zones and placing Michigan within the Central Time Zone.

1919

Michigan Legislature aligns with federal law, amending state statutes to define “standard time” accordingly (1919 PA 392).

1922

Detroit petitions for placement in the Eastern Time Zone, with the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) approving the request, differentiating Detroit’s time from the rest of Michigan.

1931

Michigan’s Legislature attempts to place the entire state in the Eastern Time Zone (1931 PA 41), effective September 18. However, the ICC ultimately denies the change in 1932.

1936

The ICC finally approves Michigan’s request to move to the Eastern Time Zone, excluding the Upper Peninsula. The boundary is drawn up Lake Michigan, around the Upper Peninsula, and across Lake Superior to the Canadian border.

1942

With the advent of World War II, the U.S. institutes “war time,” advancing clocks by one hour nationwide.

1943

Michigan’s Legislature adopts war time for the Upper Peninsula, putting the entire state effectively on Central Time (1943 PA 1). Municipalities in the Lower Peninsula can choose to adopt war time and thereby align with Eastern Time.

1945

“War time” concludes, returning the nation to pre-war time observances.

1966

Congress passes the Uniform Time Act, requiring all states to adopt Daylight Saving Time. According to time boundaries set in 1936, the Upper Peninsula is expected to observe Central Daylight Time. However, only three U.P. counties—Dickinson, Gogebic, and Menominee—comply.

1967

Michigan’s Legislature places the Upper Peninsula back in the Eastern Time Zone and exempts the entire state from DST (1967 PA 6). This decision is put on hold for a public referendum.

1968

Voters approve Public Act 6 of 1967 in a November referendum, allowing Michigan to stay on Standard Time year-round.

1972

Michigan voters repeal Public Act 6, and Michigan adopts DST in 1973.

1973

The four U.P. counties adjoining Wisconsin—Dickinson, Gogebic, Iron, and Menominee—successfully petition the U.S. Department of Transportation to switch to Central Time.

1974

Due to an energy crisis, Congress mandates year-round DST beginning January 6, a move often referred to as “double fast time.” In March, Michigan’s Legislature allows areas in the Eastern Time Zone to revert to Standard Time as of October 27, with DST observed from late April to late October. The four western U.P. counties are exempted from this legislation. Congress reinstates Standard Time nationwide from October 27, 1974, to February 23, 1975.

1975

Nationwide DST begins on February 23, but Michigan remains on Standard Time until April 27, creating a nine-week period when Michigan’s Eastern Time areas observe Central Time.

1986

Congress changes DST to start on the first Sunday in April instead of the last, extending the DST period.

2005

Congress extends DST further, beginning on the second Sunday in March and ending on the first Sunday in November, aligning with the current DST schedule.

Today, Michigan’s time observance practices reflect both historical and modern priorities, balancing local preferences with national legislation. While time changes remain a topic of debate, Michigan’s journey shows the complexities and adjustments that come with setting the clocks forward or back each year.

Marisa Fancy along with her husband and four children dreamt of moving “Up North”. They had vacationed for years in northern Michigan and in 1995 they finally made the move.

The family was always out exploring, but with 4 kids there was some limitations on what they could do. Marisa discovered the amazing network of trails in Northern Michigan after Steve died and she would walk for miles. The trails provided her with peace, comfort and solitude at a difficult time in her life. Later, after meeting Guy who would become her second husband, she learned to golf and found another passion she could enjoy in beautiful Northern Michigan.

Marisa has been the family historian, writer, and poet for as long as she can remember. She has always loved to write and has now found a creative outlet for it other than family. You can read her articles in Adventures in Northern Michigan, Northern Michigan History and Golf Up North.