Black Friday is a term often associated with the day following Thanksgiving Day in the United States. It is considered as the start of the Christmas shopping season, where retailers offer massive discounts and special deals to attract customers. The term ‘Black Friday’ has quite a few stories and myths about how it came to be named that, and teaching students about them can be a fun and insightful activity.

One popular theory is that the term Black Friday originated in Philadelphia in the 1960s. The traffic police in the city used to dread this day as it brought hordes of shoppers and chaotic traffic conditions. The cops would have to work long hours and overtime to manage it all. As a result, they began calling it ‘Black Friday.’ The term then spread across the country, and retailers started adopting the name.

Another theory suggests that Black Friday was named so because it was the day retailers’ finances went from being in the red to the black. In accounting terms, being in the red typically means that a business is operating at a loss, while being in the black means that it’s turning a profit. According to this theory, the days before Thanksgiving Day would be slow, but the large volume of sales during Black Friday would bring revenues high enough to put the retailers’ accounts in the positive.

Interestingly, there is also a theory that Black Friday dates back to the nineteenth century when slaves were sold at a discount on the day after Thanksgiving. However, there is no concrete evidence to support this theory.

Teaching students about the different theories surrounding why Black Friday is called so would not only be fun but also help dispel any misconceptions they may have heard. They can research these stories and come up with their own theories or opinions. Moreover, they can learn about the significance of Black Friday and how retailers use this day to boost their sales during the holiday season.

In conclusion, Black Friday is a unique day filled with discounts, deals, and bargains. While the origin of the term ‘Black Friday’ is not entirely clear, it is fascinating to explore the different theories surrounding it. Through this activity, students can learn about the history and significance of this day while having fun.