A Little Bit about Black Friday

by Libby Pelham | More from this Blogger

28 Nov 2008 03:20 PM

After cooking for about a dozen people yesterday, I really didn't feel like getting up and fighting the crowds this morning at 5 am. But, that didn't stop millions of Americans from taking advantage of Black Friday.

Now, to me, Black Friday sounds ominous, a bit like Bloody Sunday (a series of violent events throughout history) or Black Tuesday (the day the stock market crashed in 1929), but actually, it is not a bad thing. Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving when everyone rushes out to the stores to get great deals - or at least think they get great deals - on items for Christmas.

The term "Black Friday" can be traced back to the '60s, but many believe that it being seen as the kickoff to the Christmas season dates back to the start of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1924. The first use of the term dates back to 1966. That was when the Philadelphia Police Department used the term to refer to the massive traffic jams and overcrowded city streets due to shoppers.

By 1975, the term resurfaced, showing up in two Philadelphia newspapers. Then, the New York Times used it, saying "Philadelphia police and bus drivers call it 'Black Friday' - that day each year between Thanksgiving Day and the Army-Navy game. It is the busiest shopping and traffic day of the year in the Bicentennial City as the Christmas list is checked off and the Eastern college football season nears conclusion."

Many think that Black Friday is the busiest shopping day of the year, but that is not always true. In fact, between 1993 and 2001, Black Friday often fell between the 5th and 10th busiest shopping day of the year. But, in 2002 and 2004, it reached second place and in 2003 and 2005, it became the busiest shopping day of the year.

Over the past several years, Black Friday has become quite an event, with shoppers lining up before the sun rises to try to get those great deals. Then, if you are lucky enough to find the item you wanted, you can expect to wait in long lines to actually check out with said item.

I salute those of you that had enough energy and will to get up and out early this morning. As for me, I waited until the afternoon to see what picked-over items were left.

Learn more about Libby Pelham

Libby Pelham is a work-at-home mom located in Jacksonville, NC. She has a beautiful little boy, Will, born in July of 2004.

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