WHM: The beginnings of Universal Time

WHM: The beginnings of Universal Time
WHM: The beginnings of Universal Time

WHM: The beginnings of Universal Time

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Today’s World History Moment is October 13, 1884—the beginnings of Universal Time. By the year 1800, most of Western civilization kepttrack of time in the same way. The day was divided into 24 hours. Noon was when the Sun reached the highest point in the sky. Each large city had its own official clock. Historian John Schmidt joins us to tell us how our current methods of keeping time came to be. (photo: Big Ben, see page for author, via Wikimedia Commons)