🛍️ Black Friday Countdown
When is Black Friday?
Black Friday is always the day after Thanksgiving — the Friday following the fourth Thursday in November — so its date moves along with Thanksgiving each year.
The history of Black Friday
Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is traditionally the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season in the United States. The name's origins are debated: one account ties it to Philadelphia police in the 1950s-60s describing the chaotic traffic and crowds, while a later, more positive retail explanation suggests it's the day stores' accounting ledgers move from red ink (losses) to black ink (profit).
It's marked today by major in-store and online sales, long lines outside retailers, and, more recently, heavy competition from Cyber Monday for online-focused shopping.
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Frequently asked questions
Black Friday is always the day after Thanksgiving — the Friday following the fourth Thursday in November.
No — it's a widely observed occasion but not an official U.S. federal holiday, so most banks, schools and government offices stay open.
The name's origin is debated — it may reference 1950s-60s Philadelphia police describing chaotic post-Thanksgiving crowds, or the idea of retailers turning a profit ('in the black').
Black Friday emphasizes in-store and online deals right after Thanksgiving, while Cyber Monday, the following Monday, focuses specifically on online shopping deals.