When was Black Friday created? This question has intrigued many shoppers and historians alike. Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, has become a highly anticipated shopping event in the United States, with stores offering massive discounts and promotions. However, the origins of this day are not as straightforward as one might think.
Black Friday was not originally intended to be a shopping holiday. Its origins can be traced back to the 1860s in Philadelphia, where it was used to describe the heavy traffic and chaotic atmosphere in the city on the day after Thanksgiving. The term “Black Friday” was used to describe the day when businesses started to turn a profit, or “go into the black,” as opposed to the red of debt.
Over time, the meaning of Black Friday evolved. In the 1950s, the term began to be used by retailers in the United States to encourage shoppers to start their holiday shopping early. The first recorded use of the term “Black Friday” in this context was in 1961, when the Philadelphia Police Department used it to describe the heavy traffic and crowds in the city on the day after Thanksgiving.
However, it was not until the 1980s that Black Friday became a widespread shopping event. This was partly due to the influence of retailers like Sears and Montgomery Ward, who began offering significant discounts and promotions on the day after Thanksgiving. As more retailers joined in, Black Friday became a national phenomenon, with shoppers eagerly waiting for the big sales.
Today, Black Friday is a significant day for retailers, as it can account for a significant portion of their annual revenue. While the origins of Black Friday may have been rooted in the chaos of traffic and the financial success of businesses, it has now become a symbol of the shopping frenzy that characterizes the holiday season. Whether you love or loathe the idea of Black Friday, it is a day that has left an indelible mark on the American shopping landscape.
