When was the 1st Black Friday? This question often piques the curiosity of many, as Black Friday has become a widely celebrated shopping event across the globe. The origins of Black Friday are steeped in history, and understanding its beginning can provide valuable insights into the evolution of consumer culture.
Black Friday is traditionally observed on the day after Thanksgiving, which falls on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. However, the term “Black Friday” itself has a different connotation in its early days. The first Black Friday was not a shopping bonanza, but rather a day marked by chaos and disaster.
The first recorded use of the term “Black Friday” dates back to September 24, 1869, when it was used to describe a financial crisis that occurred on that day. The panic was caused by a speculative bubble in the gold market, which resulted in a massive sell-off and a significant drop in stock prices. This event was referred to as “Black Friday” because it left the market in the red, symbolizing financial loss.
Decades later, the term “Black Friday” took on a different meaning in Philadelphia. The city’s police department used the term to describe the massive traffic jams and public disturbances that occurred on the day after Thanksgiving. The crowds of shoppers overwhelmed the city, causing traffic jams, fights, and even injuries. The chaos led to the creation of the “Black Friday Committee” in 1961, which aimed to organize and manage the shopping event to minimize disruptions.
It wasn’t until the 1980s that the term “Black Friday” started to gain traction as a shopping event. Retailers began to promote the day as a great opportunity for consumers to snag deals and discounts on a wide array of products. The shopping frenzy quickly spread beyond Philadelphia and across the United States, eventually becoming a global phenomenon.
Today, the first Black Friday is still remembered as a day of chaos and disaster, but it has also become synonymous with the beginning of the holiday shopping season. While the financial crisis of 1869 and the public disturbances in Philadelphia are distant memories, the spirit of Black Friday continues to thrive, bringing excitement and deals to millions of shoppers worldwide.
