Time Zones

Last Sunday morning, most of America moved their clocks ahead an hour in recognition of Day Light Savings Time. While much is written every year about this practice, I recently came across an interesting observation on two islands that, while only a few miles apart, have a 21-hour difference in their time zones as a result of their respective locations straddling the International Date Line.

The two islands—Big Diomede (Tomorrow Island, Russia) and Little Diomede (Yesterday Island, USA)—are only about three miles (4.8 km) apart but lie on opposite sides of the International Date Line.  Because of this, there is a 21-hour time difference between them, meaning they are almost a full day apart!

You can see one island from the other, and in winter, when the sea freezes, you can even walk across the ice—from today to yesterday or vice versa! Standing on one island, you are literally looking at yesterday or tomorrow, just a few miles away.

You can learn more about the history of the islands and this geographical phenomenon by accessing the following link. https://www.britannica.com/place/Diomede-Islands