| USA TODAY
We do not have to turn back our clocks if we want to save energy
Summer time lasts about 100 years, but many studies suggest that a time switch does not save energy, as previously believed. Video provided by Newsy
Newslook
The claim: there will be a time change, full moon and Friday the 13th of the week following March 8
Social media reports delivering several inaccurate statements over time went viral on March 8th.
“Next week has a time change, full moon AND Friday the 13th,” the reports claim.
The inaccurate statement was posted by several accounts. The earliest version USA TODAY found was shared late on March 7 by humor Facebook page Silver Elephant. It was later removed.
More: Fact check: the pandemic is to blame for advanced suspension of program tests in Boston
USA TODAY reached out to several accounts that posted the statement for comment.
A change of daylight will take place on March 14
Most Americans will lose an hour on March 14 when the clocks “jump forward” and start saving daylight. The switch will take place at 02:00. It is part of the federal government’s annual measure to increase hours of sunlight rather than early morning.
Hawaii and most of Arizona do not participate in sunlight.
Next moon is March 28
According to the Boer Almanac, the next full moon is only 14:48 hours ET 28 March. There is a new moon at 05:21 on March 13th.
More: Fact check: Viral meme deceived by comparing ‘WAP’ song, Dr Seuss’ book, ‘The Muppet Show’
A new moon is the opposite of a full moon and refers to a time when the moon cannot be seen from the earth at all.
Next Friday the 13th is August 13
There is not a Friday the 13th of March. The Friday following the date of the post is March 12th. The only Friday, the 13th in 2021, takes place on August 13th.
More: Fact check: Post falsely claims that Bill Gates and Ghislaine Maxwell are cousins
Friday the 13th has a long history of superstitious associations with unhappiness.
Our rating: partially false
The claim that there will be a time change, full moon and Friday the 13th of the week following March 8, is PARTLY FALSE. While it is true that there will be a time change in the next week, it is false that there will be a full moon and a Friday the 13th.
Our sources for fact checking:
- USA TODAY, October 20, 2020, “When will the time change in 2020? This is when we ‘fall back’ for daylight saving”
- Farmers’ Almanac, visit on 8 March “Full Moon Calendar for 2021: Names and dates”
- TimeAndDate.com, accessed 8 March, “Moon Phases 2021 – Moon Calendar”
- NASA, solar system exploration, gained access to “Earth’s Moon” on March 8
- The Old Farmer’s Almanac, 12 November 2020, “WHY IS FRIDAY THE 13TH UNFORTUNATELY? | ORIGIN OF FRIDAY THE 13TH”
- USA TODAY, November 13, 2020, “It’s Friday the 13th. In 2020. Here’s a brief history of the superstitious date and some hilarious tweets to get you through the day.”
Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe here to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica.
Our fact-checking work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook.