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The History of Black Friday and Cyber Monday

The rustling leaves and cold breezes of November often bring us ideas of Thanksgiving and pumpkin spice. However, one of the most popular days in November are often Black Friday and Cyber Monday. These days are known for the immense shopping discounts made available across stores nationwide and on the Internet. How did these days known for shopping come to be?

To start with Black Friday, the crash of the U.S. gold market on September 24, 1869 marked the first time when the term “Black Friday” was used. It started as a term used for financial troubles rather than mass spending. The most commonly told story of “Black Friday” came from post-Thanksgiving shopping, in which stores would see an increase in profits after an entire year of a deficiency in net profit. Although, it originated from police dealing with a shopping mob in Philadelphia after Thanksgiving in the 1950s. 

Moving on to Cyber Monday, it shares a similar pattern to Black Friday. The term originated from experts noticing that many shoppers would continue their spending on the Monday after Thanksgiving in 2005 by the National Retail Federation. A major factor in this would be the huge crowds that would gather around stores during Black Friday. Since then, multiple department stores across the country would allow the opportunity for the discounts to continue on the Internet. This would allow for many people that were unavailable on that Friday to look for their desired goods online.

In conclusion, the histories of both Black Friday and Cyber Monday are fueled by spending patterns by people after Thanksgiving. Although their histories aren’t as exciting as some may believe, it highlights the culture shared across by many Americans. Despite their origins, both events show how people come together in order to take advantage of savings. Consequently, these would influence shopping patterns throughout the nation during the holidays.With the history of these days in mind, I hope you enjoy your spending on these saving-induced times! 

Works Cited:

“Cyber Monday.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., www.britannica.com/topic/Cyber-Monday. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024. 

“What’s The Real History of Black Friday?” History.Com, A&E Television Networks, www.history.com/news/black-friday-thanksgiving-origins-history. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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