Time zones: a human invention to keep us synced—or confused. Ever wonder why the new year hits some places hours (or even a day) before others? From the chaos of 19th-century “local mean time” to the international drama of Greenwich Mean Time, this episode explores the fascinating history of time zones. We’ll uncover the quirks of New Year’s Eve celebrations across the globe, including the Line Islands, where 2025 starts first, and the Diomede Islands, where two tiny neighbors exist 21 hours apart.
Sources:
Encyclopaedia Britannica: “Time Zones and the Prime Meridian”
History.com: “A Brief History of Timekeeping”
Timeanddate.com: “Who Rings in the New Year First?”
BBC News: “The Curious Case of Time Zone Adjustments in Kiribati”
National Geographic: “The Diomede Islands and the International Date Line”
NOAA: “The Geography of the International Date Line”
