It is believed by many that the term Black Friday derives from the concept that businesses operate at a financial loss, or are “in the red,” until the day after Thanksgiving, when massive sales finally allow them to turn a profit, or put them “in the black.” However, this is untrue.
A more accurate explanation of the term dates back to the early 1960s, when police officers in Philadelphia began using the phrase “Black Friday” to describe the chaos that resulted when large numbers of suburban tourists came into the city to begin their holiday shopping and, in some years, attend Saturday’s annual Army-Navy football game. The huge crowds created a headache for the police, who worked longer shifts than usual as they dealt with traffic jams, accidents, shoplifting, and other issues.
Historically, Black Friday has yet another connotation, one unrelated to shopping. In 1869 Wall Street financiers Jay Gould and Jim Fisk attempted to corner the nation’s gold market at the New York Gold Exchange by buying as much of the precious metal as they could, with the intent of sending prices skyrocketing. On Friday, September 24, intervention by President Ulysses S. Grant caused their plan to fall apart. The stock market instantly plummeted, sending thousands of Americans into bankruptcy.
SOURCE. “Why Is It Called Black Friday?”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Nov. 2022, https://www.britannica.com/story/why-is-it-called-black-friday. Accessed 25 November 2023.Copy Citation
Doggedly Yours 
We are in agreement. Thanks.
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Hope you had a safe and happy Thanksgiving. No Black Friday for us-we avoid that annual exercise in chaos like the plague. ;)
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You’re most welcome 💐
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Yes! 😌
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Less expensive than shopping too! Thanks for reading.
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Fun for me too. Thanks for your support.
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Thanks
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Yes, that’s how I feel too about the research and writing. Thanks for commenting.
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Interesting history. More interesting than shopping! 😄
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I asked my husband, who is a bit of a history buff, reason Black Friday is called that, and he answered with the explanation that most know and is incorrect. Even HE learned something today, LOL!
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🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶
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I must admit I always learn stuff I didn’t know until I read these. No doubt, good for my old brain.
Love, jude
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