Day After Thanksgiving in the United States

Date:

The Day After Thanksgiving is observed on the Friday following the fourth Thursday in November.

Also Known As:

• Black Friday: The term "Black Friday" originated in Philadelphia, where it was used to describe the heavy and disruptive pedestrian and vehicular traffic that would occur on the day after Thanksgiving.
• Buy Nothing Day: Some people observe this as a counter to consumerism.

History:

• The tradition of shopping on the day after Thanksgiving has been linked to the Santa Claus parades of the late 19th century and early 20th century. These parades often marked the official start of the holiday shopping season.
• Retailers began to capitalize on this day by offering special sales and promotions, eventually leading to what is now known as Black Friday.

Traditions:

• Retail Sales: Retailers offer significant discounts, doorbuster deals, and early opening hours.
• Holiday Decorations: Many families use this day to decorate their homes for the upcoming holiday season.
• Sporting Events: It's a popular day for college football games.

Activities:

• Shopping: A significant number of Americans hit stores or shop online looking for discounts on various products, especially electronics, apparel, and toys.
• Family Time: Some use this extra day off work to spend time with family or friends.
• Rest: Others take this day as an opportunity to recover from the feasting and festivities of Thanksgiving Day.