Introduction
Black Friday is one of the busiest shopping days of the year in the United States, and it has become an essential part of the holiday season for many Americans. But where did Black Friday come from? Who invented this popular shopping holiday? In this article, we’ll answer these questions and explore the history of Black Friday.
Definition of “Black Friday”
The term “Black Friday” refers to the day after Thanksgiving, which is traditionally the start of the holiday shopping season. On Black Friday, retailers offer deep discounts and promotional deals to attract customers. The holiday is seen as a way to kick off the holiday shopping season with a bang, and it is typically one of the busiest shopping days of the year.
Overview of the Holiday’s Popularity
In recent years, Black Friday has become increasingly popular. According to the National Retail Federation, over 164 million people shopped during the 2018 Black Friday weekend. This was a record-breaking number of shoppers, and it demonstrates the immense popularity of this holiday.
A Historical Look at the Origin of Black Friday
But how did Black Friday come about? To answer this question, we need to take a historical look at the origin of this holiday.
The Person Behind the Holiday: Who Invented Black Friday?
It turns out that the creator of Black Friday was a Philadelphia police officer named Earl Apfelbaum. He is credited with inventing the term “Black Friday” in the 1950s, although the exact date is unknown.
How a Philadelphia Police Officer Gave Birth to Black Friday
Apfelbaum came up with the term “Black Friday” to describe the chaos that ensued after the Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia. The streets were filled with people and traffic was backed up, making it difficult for the police officers to do their jobs. Apfelbaum referred to this chaotic day as “Black Friday”, and the name stuck. From there, the term spread to other cities and eventually became associated with the start of the holiday shopping season.
An Exploration of the History of Black Friday
Now that we know who invented Black Friday, let’s take a closer look at the history of this holiday.
Tracing the Roots of Black Friday and Its Creator
Earl Apfelbaum was born in Philadelphia in 1918. He was a police officer for the city for over 30 years, and it was during his tenure as a police officer that he came up with the term “Black Friday”. After his retirement, Apfelbaum went on to work as a security guard, and he died in 2005 at the age of 87.
The Evolution of Black Friday Through the Years
Black Friday has evolved significantly since it was first created by Apfelbaum in the 1950s. In the early days, stores would open early on the day after Thanksgiving to offer discounts and sales. Over the years, Black Friday has grown into a major shopping event, with stores offering discounts and sales for weeks or even months leading up to the holiday.
Today, Black Friday is one of the most important shopping days of the year. It is seen as a way to kick off the holiday shopping season, and it is typically one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Retailers use Black Friday as an opportunity to draw in customers and boost their sales.
Conclusion
Black Friday is one of the most popular shopping holidays in the United States, and it has become an essential part of the holiday season for many Americans. But where did Black Friday come from? Who invented this popular shopping holiday?
As it turns out, Black Friday was invented by a Philadelphia police officer named Earl Apfelbaum. He coined the term “Black Friday” in the 1950s to describe the chaos that ensued after the Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia. From there, the term spread to other cities and eventually became associated with the start of the holiday shopping season.
Since then, Black Friday has evolved significantly, and it is now one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Retailers use Black Friday as an opportunity to draw in customers and boost their sales. It is clear that Black Friday has had a major impact on the holiday shopping season, and it is likely to remain an important part of the holiday season for years to come.
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