8am

8am, or eight o'clock in the morning, is a standard time of day used in many regions that follow a 12‑hour clock system. In a 24‑hour format it corresponds to 08:00. The time marks the end of the early morning period and the beginning of the typical workday for many people in the Northern Hemisphere, aligning with the start of daylight in temperate zones when the sun is rising or low in the sky.

In daily schedules, 8am is often designated as the official start of a work or school day. Many businesses and institutions set a 9‑to‑5 shift, so employees and students are required to be present or ready by 8am to begin their day. In the education system, primary, secondary, and tertiary schools frequently begin around 08:00, followed by a series of classes that proceed through the day.

Culturally, 8am has gained additional meaning through media and public discourse. The phrase has become shorthand for punctuality, emphasizing timely arrival for appointments or events. It also appears in popular culture – for example, the phrase “8am crash” is sometimes used humorously to describe a battery or device that fails earlier in the day.

In religious contexts, certain observances begin around 8am, such as the morning minbar delivery before the mosque’s first prayer in Islam. In some Christian traditions, Mass may commence early, often scheduled at 8am on weekdays.

On a practical level, many transportation systems use 8am to launch the first service of the day. For instance, major subway and bus lines often commence operations at 08:00, providing commuters with access to work and shopping districts. Airports, too, start their daytime flights and ground services around this time.