GeoNames Forum

Hi,
you can have the dst in force in the past in a country going through a data parameter.
For example I would like to know in Italy on 02.08.1878 was active standard time ( DST ) ?
is possibile with api?
thx
paolo

Hello Team,
I am looking for the same as per above request of paolo873. Can i get the timezone details of any place at particular date.?

Hi,

Historical time indications may not be taken as equal to the modern time system; some previous local research must always be done.

- Until about 1850, every populated place used its local sun-dial time.

- Then, with the new national or regional railways, regional 'mean-times' were introduced, not related to their neighbors. At least where it was necessary…

- Only in the 20th century, the standard shift to GMT/UTC (and the Time Zones) was progressively introduced.
Without GMT, the Time Zones did not have any reason to exist; and even thereafter, they were often changed for political, philosophical or other local reasons.

As far as I know, all modern or historic DST schemes, worldwide, were introduced, changed multiple times or even eliminated after world war one, i.e. after the introduction of the time zones.

Cheers
Urs