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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.
Sarah is a Deals Editor for Business Insider’s Reviews team. She also supports our how-to-watch and streaming coverage. She never pays full price if she can help it and is an expert at finding and vetting the best discounts. ExperienceSarah joined the Business Insider Reviews team in 2020, starting as a deals reporter covering the best deals and steals daily. She later migrated to the tech team, where she researched, tested, and reviewed a variety of devices, from gaming mice to Kindle e-readers. Now, she’s returned to her origins, serving as the deals editor to curate only the best discounts and buying advice for readers. She began her career in service journalism in 2018 at Wirecutter as a deals writer, where she absorbed the history of the most frequently discounted products. This has informed her impeccably high standards for what makes a good deal. Ever since her Wirecutter days, Sarah has been an expert deals curator for tentpole sale days like Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. Following her weekly contributions to Business Insider’s Newsletter will illuminate new ways to get the best value on products you use every day. Why you can trust SarahSarah doesn’t recommend any deal she wouldn’t pay for herself. She is skeptical about the advertising language brands use to tout their sales and utilizes all the price-checking tools to ensure they deliver savings.Expertise
Deal hunting and vetting
E-readers
Gaming accessories
Smart home devices
Concert tickets
Travel bookings
Streaming services
EducationSarah graduated from the California State University of Fullerton with a degree in Marketing. She lives in Southern California and is the proud pet parent of two German Shepherds and one chihuahua. She loves traveling to try delicious food, is skilled in crocheting and sewing, and enjoys reading horror novels (as long as they don’t keep her awake).Say hi (or send a picture of your pet) to Sarah at ssaril@businessinsider.com, or reach her on Twitter at @sarahhahr. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Business Insider here.
