Black Friday is now closely associated with exciting discounts, crowded stores, and shoppers searching for the best holiday bargains. Yet the name itself sounds rather gloomy for an event built around saving money.
Its history is more complicated than most shoppers realize, with a few surprising twists along the way. So, why is it called Black Friday, and how did the name become part of America’s shopping tradition?
1. Why Is It Called Black Friday? The Philadelphia Origins
Although the phrase “Black Friday” was used as early as 1869 to describe a financial crisis, its connection to post-Thanksgiving shopping is generally traced to Philadelphia in the mid-20th century.
At the time, the Friday after Thanksgiving brought an unusual mix of holiday shoppers, tourists, and football fans into the city. What retailers saw as an opportunity to attract customers quickly became one of the busiest and most stressful days for local police officers.
The Philadelphia Police and the Post-Thanksgiving Shopping Rush
The shopping-related meaning of “Black Friday” is commonly traced to Philadelphia police officers in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
They used the nickname to describe the difficult conditions they faced as large crowds flooded downtown Philadelphia on the day after Thanksgiving.
Several things came together to create the annual rush:
- Holiday shopping: The Friday after Thanksgiving marked the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. Shoppers traveled downtown to visit department stores, look for holiday discounts, and buy gifts.
- The Army-Navy football game: Philadelphia regularly attracted visitors for the annual football game held that Saturday. Fans arrived early, adding even more people to already crowded streets.
- Traffic and public safety problems: Heavy traffic, overcrowded sidewalks, illegal parking, and shoplifting created extra work for police officers. Many had to work longer shifts instead of enjoying the holiday weekend.
For officers, the day was far from a shopping celebration. They had to manage traffic, direct pedestrians, prevent theft, and keep busy commercial areas under control.
This negative association helps explain why is it called Black Friday in the shopping context. The word “black” reflected the difficult, chaotic day experienced by Philadelphia police, not the financial success of local stores.
The nickname eventually became familiar among shoppers and businesses in the city, even though retailers were not particularly happy with it.
Why Did Philadelphia Merchants Try to Rename It “Big Friday”?
Not everyone wanted the name Black Friday to stick. Local merchants and business leaders worried that the negative association could make downtown Philadelphia less attractive to shoppers.
Their solution was to give the day a more welcoming name: “Big Friday.”
The idea was simple. Instead of reminding customers of traffic problems and crowded streets, the new name would emphasize the shopping opportunities and economic activity surrounding the day.
However, the rebranding effort did not work.
By 1961, the nickname was already well established in Philadelphia. Despite efforts by merchants and city leaders to promote “Big Friday,” the original name remained in use and eventually became the accepted term.
Black Friday remained, although its meaning would become much more positive as the shopping tradition spread across the United States.
>>> Also read: Where Did Halloween Come From? The Spooky Origins Explained Simply
2. Does Black Friday Really Mean Stores Go from Red to Black?
No. Although the explanation sounds reasonable, the idea that Black Friday marks the day retailers move from financial losses to profits is not the original source of the name.
The story comes from traditional accounting practices:
- In the red: Businesses use red ink to record financial losses or negative balances.
- In the black: Black ink represents profits and positive financial results.
As holiday shopping grew, retailers began promoting the idea that strong sales after Thanksgiving helped businesses move from the red into the black.
It was an appealing explanation, especially compared with the original story of exhausted police officers and traffic problems. The positive interpretation became more widely associated with the shopping holiday during the 1980s.
So, when people ask why is it called Black Friday, the red-to-black explanation is not entirely made up. It describes a real accounting practice, but it does not explain how the shopping-related name first appeared.
3. How Did Black Friday Become America’s Biggest Shopping Event?
The name Black Friday started in Philadelphia, but it took several decades to become a nationwide shopping tradition.
Retailers gradually turned the busy post-Thanksgiving shopping day into an opportunity to attract customers with special promotions.
Here’s how the shopping event grew over the years:
- 1980s: Businesses helped popularize the positive red-to-black interpretation. This gave the name a more appealing connection to holiday shopping and encouraged more retailers to participate.
- 1990s: Black Friday became a familiar shopping event across the country. Stores began competing for customers with attractive discounts, limited-time promotions, and early opening hours. Shoppers increasingly treated the day as an opportunity to find holiday gifts at lower prices.
- 2005: The growth of online shopping brought another major change. Retailers and industry groups began using the term “Cyber Monday” for the surge in online shopping on the Monday after Thanksgiving.
- Today: The shopping period extends well beyond one Friday. Many retailers launch promotions weeks before Thanksgiving, creating what is often called Black November. Online stores also make it possible to compare prices and shop without waiting in long store lines.
The phrase “why is it called Black Friday sale” reflects how closely the name is now connected to retail promotions, even though its original meaning had little to do with discounts.
4. What Does Black Friday Mean for Shoppers Today?
For modern shoppers, Black Friday is one of the biggest opportunities to find seasonal discounts before the holiday shopping rush reaches its peak.
What once caused headaches for Philadelphia police has become a major retail event involving both physical stores and online shopping platforms.
Discounts commonly cover a wide range of products, including:
- Electronics: Smartphones, laptops, televisions, headphones, and smart home devices.
- Home and kitchen: Appliances, furniture, cookware, and household essentials.
- Fashion and beauty: Clothing, shoes, accessories, skincare, and makeup.
- Toys and entertainment: Children’s gifts, gaming accessories, books, and popular games.
For many households, these promotions offer a chance to purchase expensive items at more manageable prices or get holiday shopping done early.
Still, a discount is not automatically a good deal. Compare prices across retailers, check product reviews, and pay attention to return policies before making a purchase. Setting a spending limit also helps prevent the excitement of limited-time offers from turning into unnecessary expenses.
Knowing why is it called Black Friday makes the event more interesting, but what matters most today is finding genuine savings on things you actually need.
5. Black Friday Phone Savings: Explore Free and Discounted Devices
Black Friday isn’t the only time to find smartphone savings. Eligible households may also have an opportunity to get an iPhone or Samsung Galaxy for free or at a reduced price through AirTalk Wireless, an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) participating in the federal Lifeline program.
Lifeline is a federal program that helps qualifying households lower their monthly phone service costs. You may qualify through:
- Enrollment in certain government assistance programs, such as Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, and other programs recognized by Lifeline.
- Household income at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Beyond affordable monthly service, this carrier also offers eligible customers additional free or discounted smartphone deals.
This Black Friday, AirTalk’s giving you another place to explore smartphone savings. You can find flash deals on popular devices, including the Apple iPhone 7, iPhone 11, and Samsung Galaxy A42 5G.
Note:
- Flash deals may come with a 10-minute countdown after you enter your ZIP code and begin the application process.
- Device availability and prices vary by location, inventory, and application time.
What’s more, your AirTalk Wireless service may include valuable benefits such as:
- Unlimited talk and text with monthly high-speed data
- Free eSIM/SIM card options
- Many calling features, including caller ID, call waiting, three-way calling, and voicemail
Ready to find your phone deal? Enter your ZIP code at AirTalk Wireless to check available devices, explore your benefits, and apply today!
Note: AirTalk Wireless operates under the federal Lifeline Program as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC). Eligibility varies by state and program. Offers depend on availability and qualifications. Service is non-transferable and limited to one service per household.
6. FAQs
Is Black Friday a real story?
Yes. Black Friday has a documented history dating back to the 19th century. The shopping-related nickname emerged in Philadelphia during the 1950s, when police officers used it to describe the difficult crowds and traffic following Thanksgiving.
What is the dark history of Black Friday?
The shopping-related name originally reflected the stressful working conditions faced by Philadelphia police officers. However, the phrase also has an earlier connection to financial turmoil, including the 1869 gold market crash.
What happened on Black Friday in 1869?
On September 24, 1869, an attempt by financiers Jay Gould and Jim Fisk to corner the U.S. gold market collapsed. The gold price fell sharply, causing widespread financial losses among investors and businesses. This event became known as Black Friday, decades before the shopping tradition developed.
Is Black Friday a dying trend?
Not necessarily. Black Friday has changed as shopping habits have shifted toward online stores and longer promotional periods. Many retailers now launch discounts weeks before Thanksgiving, but the event remains an important part of the holiday shopping season.
Final Thoughts
The story behind why is it called Black Friday is a reminder that even familiar traditions can have unexpected beginnings. Today, the name represents an opportunity to shop smarter, not simply spend more.
Take time to compare offers, plan your purchases, and look beyond the biggest retail names. Sometimes, the most worthwhile savings come from places you didn’t think to check.