Black Friday: How It Started and Why It Became a Global Shopping Phenomenon
09.12.2025
Black Friday: How It Started and Why It Became a Global Shopping Phenomenon
The fever of Black Friday has just passed, but before we all move on, we would like to take a moment to clarify how this celebration actually started and why it has become such a huge global event. Although today it is mostly associated with massive discounts and long queues, its origins are much more surprising than many people think.
The Early Origins of “Black Friday”
While many assume Black Friday was invented by retailers, the term first appeared long before shopping malls existed.
1. The 19th-Century Financial Meaning
The earliest known reference dates back to 1869, when two investors caused a financial crash in the U.S. gold market. The day became known as “Black Friday” because of the economic chaos that followed. However, this event has no connection to the modern shopping holiday—just the name itself.
The Philadelphia Story: Where Modern Black Friday Truly Began
The Black Friday we know today actually emerged in the 1950s and 1960s in the city of Philadelphia. Every year, the Saturday after Thanksgiving hosted a huge Army–Navy football game. On the Friday before the match, thousands of visitors flooded the city, causing:
- Heavy traffic
- Full hotels
- Overwhelmed shops
- Increased shoplifting due to exhausted police presence
Local police officers started calling this chaotic day “Black Friday.” Retailers initially disliked the term, but as shoppers kept using it, businesses eventually embraced it—turning the inconvenience into a marketing opportunity.
The Transformation: From Chaos to Commercial Tradition
By the 1980s, American retailers reinvented the meaning of Black Friday. Instead of associating the day with chaos, they introduced a more positive interpretation:
- Many shops operated “in the red” (at a loss) for most of the year.
- The surge in holiday shopping on this day finally pushed them “into the black” (into profit).
This new explanation, although more symbolic than historical, became widely accepted and helped cement Black Friday as a celebration of consumer savings.
Black Friday Goes Global
With the growth of e-commerce, Black Friday crossed U.S. borders and became a worldwide activity. Today:
- Countries in Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Africa host their own versions.
- Online shopping platforms run multi-day promotions.
- “Cyber Monday,” “Black Week,” and even “Black November” have been introduced.
What started as a local, slightly chaotic event in Philadelphia is now a global retail tradition influencing millions of consumers every year.
Do We Really Need Black Friday for Better Prices?
At MoneyTO, we believe great value shouldn’t be available only once a year. While many companies drop prices only on Black Friday, we offer some of the lowest money-transfer fees on the market all year round. No special holiday required. If you ever need to send money abroad—quickly, safely, and affordably—we’re here to help.
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