Hey there, folks! Get ready for a rollercoaster ride as we dive into the not-so-glamorous history of ‘Black Friday’ – that day when people go crazy over sales and discounts. Hold on tight!
A Dark Beginning
Picture this: It’s the 19th century in America, and things aren’t all sunshine and rainbows. The term ‘Black Friday’ was first used to describe a financial crisis that happened way back in September 1869. Yep, you heard it right – it wasn’t about shopping at all! This dark day occurred when two Wall Street financiers tried to corner the gold market but failed miserably.
The Retail Twist
Fast forward to the mid-20th century, where Philadelphia cops had another meaning for ‘Black Friday.’ You see, after Thanksgiving Day parades, hordes of shoppers would flood the city streets looking for bargains before Christmas. But here’s the catch – these crowds caused traffic chaos and shoplifting galore! So yeah, not exactly a joyful sight.
A Marketing Makeover
In an attempt to turn this gloomy event around, retailers decided to rebrand ‘Black Friday’ as something positive. They started using it as a term for their stores finally turning profitable during the holiday season – moving from being “in the red” (loss) to “in the black” (profit). Clever marketing move or what?
The Modern Madness
Nowadays, Black Friday has become synonymous with long lines outside stores at ungodly hours and people fighting tooth and nail over discounted TVs or fancy gadgets. It’s like survival of the fittest out there! Some folks even camp outside stores overnight, armed with coffee and determination, just to snag that sweet deal.
In a Nutshell
So there you have it – the not-so-joyful story behind ‘Black Friday.’ From a financial crisis to traffic chaos and now retail madness, this day has certainly come a long way. Whether you love it or hate it, one thing’s for sure – Black Friday is here to stay. So brace yourselves for the annual shopping frenzy!