Do you know what Black Friday is? Do you know how it got its name? I thought I did, but apparently what I have always thought is not the whole story. What I have learned recently is that there are basically three different views, all of which contain some elements of truth, exploitation, wishful thinking, and spin.

Possibly the first reference to the day after Thanksgiving as Black Friday occurred in the 1950’s, when it was considered National Hooky Day – many factory workers called in “sick." in order to enjoy a 4-day weekend. This caused considerable concern for the companies involved. I remember something similar among the coal miners in Ohio, who seemed to always go on strike the first day of Deer Hunting season.

Then let’s move to the early 1960’s, a period of chaos and tumult in this country. In the city of Philadelphia, the day after Thanksgiving was often also the day before the Army-Navy football game, and many fans descended on the city with time and money on their hands, creating chaos and unimaginable traffic congestion. Police and other public workers had to work 12-hour shifts and retail workers were pressed into overtime as the stores tried to benefit from the situation, to the detriment of their employees. In the eyes of some it became a massive exploitation of the work force. Thus the name Black Friday.

Finally, in an effort to “clean up." the image of Black Friday, the tale of this day celebrating businesses now operating “in the black." – making a profit – for the first time in the year was circulated.

This last version is the story I have always heard. How about you? Were you aware of the darker side of Black Friday?

If you know something else of interest about Black Friday, please share it in the comments! It is always fun to learn something new!