Black Friday as a shopping day originated in the United States.
Origin
The modern retail meaning of Black Friday began in the U.S. in the mid‑20th century, tied to the Friday after the Thanksgiving holiday. The term was popularized in Philadelphia, where police used “Black Friday” to describe heavy traffic and crowded streets from post‑Thanksgiving shoppers and events.
Spread to other countries
From its U.S. origins, Black Friday later spread to retailers and online shops in many other countries, becoming a global discount period. Today, dozens of countries in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia run Black Friday promotions inspired by the original American shopping day.
