Time Railway United Standard States Train Railroads Cities

Through the mid-1800s, cities and towns in the United States used "local mean time," which established a "uniform" (not changing; the same in all places) time for a specific "longitude" (one of the imaginary curved lines on the globe connecting the north and south poles). However, as "railroad" (train) travel became more popular, the "variations" (inconsistencies; changes) in local times led to confusion, missed trains, and "on occasion" (sometimes), accidents.

In October 1883, the leaders of the major railroad companies met and agreed to "adopt" (begin using) a system with five time zones across the continent. The states soon "followed suit" (did the same thing). At first, standardized time was "controversial" (difficult to reach agreement). Many cities and towns refused to adopt railway time, often having two clocks "on display" (seen by the public) in train stations: one with the local time and one with the railway time.

The "eventual" (happening at last or after a long wait) adoption of railway time made train travel easier and more "predictable" (able to know what will happen). The Travelers Official Railway Guide of the United States, Mexico and Canada published "extensive" (comprehensive; very long and detailed) list of railway schedules and "connections" (places where travelers can switch from one railroad train to another). The "timetables" (schedules of arrival and departure times) were useful only because the railroads had agreed to use standard time.

In 1918, the United States "enacted" (made into law) the "Standard Time Act," also known as the "Calder Act." This law officially adopted standard time in the United States.