The time jump means that Samoa's , citizens, and the 1, in the three-atoll United Nations dependency of Tokelau, will now be the first in the world to ring in the new year, rather than the last. The moment was greeted with celebrations across Samoa. Fireworks danced across the sky and police, ambulance and fire truck sirens wailed throughout Apia to signal the change. Drivers circled the clock tower blaring their horns, and prayer services were held across the country.
The date line dance comes years after a group of U. But the time zone has proved problematic in recent years, putting Samoa and Tokelau nearly a full day behind neighbouring Australia and New Zealand, increasingly important trading partners. In June, the Samoan government passed a law to move Samoa west of the international date line, which separates one calendar day from the next and runs roughly north-to-south through the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
Under a government decree, all those scheduled to work on the nonexistent Friday will be given full pay for the missed day of labour. In addition to the economic advantages, the time jump is also expected to make the everyday rituals of family life a little more pleasant.
Like many small Pacific island states, many of Samoa's people live permanently in other countries. About , Samoans live in New Zealand and 15, in Australia. The date line switch means families split between the island nation and Australia or New Zealand can now celebrate important events such as birthdays at the same time.
That's why it is absolutely vital to make this change," said the prime minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi. Officials have begun work on changing maps, charts and atlases to reflect Samoa's new date line position. A stamp, featuring the phrase "into the future," has also been created to mark the switch.
Although generally embraced by most Samoans, the date change was not without a few little glitches. Digicel, the most popular mobile phone service provider in Samoa, said it would have to update its systems after the time jump, leaving phone services dead for about 15 minutes. The date line drawn by mapmakers is not mandated by any international body. By tradition, it runs roughly through the degree line of longitude, but it zigzags to accommodate the choices of Pacific nations on how to align their calendars.
IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Politics Covid U. News World Opinion Business. Share this —. Follow NBC News. By Keni Lesa. The weekend came sooner than usual for the tiny South Pacific island nation of Samoa.
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