Black Friday: The History of This Day

Explication : Philadelphia was the birthplace of the expression Black Friday, where police used it to describe traffic jams and urban chaos. The city was particularly affected because it hosted the traditional Army-Navy football game which attracted many visitors during Thanksgiving weekend.

Explication : The Philadelphia police had invented this term to describe their difficult working conditions on that day. Officers had to manage a massive influx of pedestrians and vehicles, making traffic particularly chaotic in the city center.

Explication : This marketing rebranding in the 1980s coincided with the rise of shopping malls and the professionalization of retail. Retailers wanted to transform a negative expression into a symbol of commercial success, marking the beginning of annual profitability.

Explication : This figure illustrates the crucial importance of this period for the financial balance of businesses. For some sectors like electronics or fashion, this concentration of sales helps compensate for slower months and renew inventory before the following year.

Explication : Green Friday, launched in France by environmental associations, advocates for responsible and sustainable consumption. This initiative encourages consumers to think about their purchases, favor repairs, second-hand items and local products rather than overconsumption.

Explication : The late introduction of Black Friday in France is explained by French cultural resistance to American commercial phenomena and protection of local commerce. Amazon and other e-commerce giants played a key role in this gradual adoption.

Explication : The Army-Navy game is one of the oldest and most prestigious college football games, pitting the West Point Military Academy against the Naval Academy in Annapolis. Created in 1890, it was traditionally held in Philadelphia, attracting tens of thousands of spectators.

Explication : Cyber Monday, created in 2005 by Shop.org, capitalized on the fact that consumers returned to the office after the weekend and used their faster internet connection to shop online. It has become the biggest e-commerce day of the year in the United States.

Explication : Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863, setting a uniform date for the entire country. This decision created a long weekend conducive to travel and commerce, laying the groundwork for what would later become Black Friday.

Explication : September 24, 1869, known as "Black Friday," marked the collapse of the American gold market following attempts by Jay Gould and James Fisk to corner it. This financial panic ruined many investors and exposed the vulnerability of the post-Civil War American financial system.