THe link JenEllen provides does cover thehistory nicely...thanks, sweety! Here's a reassuring tidbit for those Yankee-side who are worrying if they're missing the clock --

Under legislation enacted in 1986, Daylight Saving Time in the USA

begins at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday of April and ends at 2 a.m. on the last Sunday of October

In most of the countries of western Europe, including the countries that are members of the EEC, Daylight Saving Time:

begins at 1 a.m. GMT on the last Sunday of March and ends at 1 a.m. GMT on the last Sunday of October

Observance of Daylight Saving Time elsewhere in the world is highly variable.