Black Friday got its name in Philadelphia in the early 1960s, when police used it to describe the traffic chaos and crowds on the day after Thanksgiving. The popular story that stores move from “red” (loss) to “black” (profit) that day came later, spreading in the late 1980s. Black Friday 2026 falls on 27 November.
Where does the name really come from?
- 1869: the first “Black Friday” in US history was a financial crash. On Friday 24 September 1869, speculators Jay Gould and Jim Fisk’s attempt to corner the gold market collapsed when President Ulysses S. Grant released government gold, ruining many investors.
- Early 1960s: Philadelphia police called the day after Thanksgiving “Black Friday” because huge crowds of shoppers and visitors – some in town for the Army–Navy football game on Saturday – caused traffic jams, accidents and shoplifting, forcing officers to work long shifts.
- 1960s–1970s: Philadelphia merchants tried to rename it “Big Friday”, without success.
- Late 1980s: retailers promoted the “red to black” profit explanation, giving the name a positive spin, and it spread nationwide.
Is Black Friday really the biggest shopping day?
It is one of the busiest, but for many years the Saturday before Christmas was the biggest in-store sales day in the US. Online, Cyber Monday often beats Black Friday. Promotions now start weeks earlier and run through a “Black Friday week”.
What other shopping days followed?
| Day | When | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Black Friday | Friday after Thanksgiving | In-store and online deals |
| Small Business Saturday | Next day | Local shops |
| Cyber Monday | Following Monday | Online deals |
| Giving Tuesday | Following Tuesday | Charitable donations |
For shopping tips and what the season means for businesses, see Black Friday: the kickoff to the holiday season.
Frequently asked questions
When is Black Friday 2026?
Friday, 27 November 2026, the day after US Thanksgiving.
Is the “red to black” story true?
It is a later explanation. The name first came from Philadelphia police describing crowd chaos.
What was the original Black Friday?
The gold market crash of 24 September 1869.
Is Black Friday celebrated outside the US?
Yes. Retailers in Europe, Asia and elsewhere now run Black Friday promotions.
