Why Is It Called ‘Black Friday ‘? a Brief History of the Biggest Shopping Event of the Year
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As the days get shorter and the seasons begin to change, many folks start thinking of colder weather and pumpkin spice. As a deals editor here on the Business Insider Reviews team, all I can think about is the imminence of Black Friday. It’s a hectic time for everyone, filled with gift hunting and family gathering, which is why we try to make deal shopping as easy as possible by rounding up the best ones for our readers every year.
Though the event has become a household name, many still don’t know the origin of “Black Friday.” The day after Thanksgiving has long gone by this name, and it’s now associated with low prices and frantic shopping.
I’ve broken down the holiday’s history below, including why it’s called Black Friday and when to expect it this year. If you’re here hoping to find some early savings, check out this list of sales running now.
Why is it called Black Friday?
“Black Friday” originated in 1869 after two investors drove up the price of gold, causing a market crash. This resulted in the stock market dropping by 20%, foreign trade coming to a standstill, and a huge drop in the value of corn and wheat.
The term was later revived in the 1950s when Philadelphia locals used it to refer to the day between Thanksgiving and the Army-Navy football game. Due to its popularity, the sporting event would attract huge crowds of shoppers and tourists, straining local resources and law enforcement trying to maintain order.
Fast-forward to the late 1980s, when retailers reclaimed the name to reflect a time of company profitability due to how accountants use different ink colors: red for losses, black for earnings. The name stuck, now referring to a season of savings with other holidays like Cyber Monday and Small Business Saturday in its periphery.
When is Black Friday 2025?
Black Friday lands on the Friday after Thanksgiving every year, which, for 2025, is on November 28. Cyber Monday always follows; this year, it will take place on December 1.
