Attention Shoppers: Learn the Surprising History Behind Black Friday
Black Friday is often considered the official start of the holiday shopping season. As soon as that last Thanksgiving dessert is served, millions of shoppers begin their quest for the ultimate deals on Christmas gifts for friends and family. If you've ever participated in Black Friday, you may have experienced the crazy crowds, the long lines, and the general mayhem associated with the shopping event.
But have you wondered just how the concept of Black Friday got started? Well, we have your Black Friday history right here, from the surprising way it was named to when the modern shopping bonanza got its start. And while sales for Black Friday and the new extension of Cyber Monday seem to start earlier and earlier each year, there's nothing quite like the actual day to find great Black Friday furniture deals and Black Friday appliance deals like air fryers and food processors. Not to mention, Black Friday deals on The Pioneer Woman products at Walmart!
Why is it called Black Friday?
According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the original Black Friday had nothing to do with shopping, but everything to do with money. On September 24, 1869, the price of gold plummeted and caused a panic in the securities market, taking a toll on the economy of the United States. Eek! It is widely believed that the use of term "Black Friday" for the modern shopping phenomenon references retailers, who often lose money and are "in the red" for most of the year, begin to turn a profit during the Christmas shopping season to be "in the black." Though this theory has been debunked, it still remains part of the shopping season lore.
When and where was the first Black Friday?
The modern Black Friday, as we came to know it, started nearly 100 years later in Philadelphia. According to the History Channel, during the 1950s, the city would see an influx of shoppers in anticipation of the annual Army-Navy football game, causing crowds and traffic. By 1961, the term "Black Friday" caught on for the yearly event. It wasn't until the mid-1980s that the concept and name spread to the rest of the United States. In subsequent decades, more retailers participated, and stores started opening earlier and earlier each year. It eventually spun off into sales we know today like Cyber Monday and Small Business Saturday.
When does Black Friday start in 2023?
Black Friday 2023 will officially take place on Friday, November 24, 2023. Since the pandemic, major retailers like Walmart have stopped opening early on Thanksgiving night and have gone back to the more traditional route of opening early the next day. Their plans for this year have yet to be announced, but we'll be sure to keep you updated on those hours! Of course, you can always shop Black Friday online regardless of when or if you plan on shopping in stores. Whichever way you decide to shop, major deals are sure to be found!
What does Cyber Monday mean?
Don't want to wait in long lines or fight over the last blouse on the rack, but still want all the best deals? Enter: Cyber Monday! The 24-hour online shopping extravaganza takes place on the Monday following the Thanksgiving weekend and encourages consumers to well, cyber shop!
This year it falls on Monday, November 27, 2023—but Cyber Monday first earned its name in 2005 when the National Retail Federation noted that web purchases often increased on the Monday after Thanksgiving. Now, online retailers use the day to offer special promotions and discounts during the holiday shopping season. Additionally, many traditional retailers will offer exclusive online-only sales. Yup, that means deals that you don't even have to leave your couch for are a go! Count us in.
You Might Also Like
