Black Friday originated in the United States in the 1950s as a way to kick off the holiday shopping season.
The term 'Black Friday' was first used in the 1960s to describe the heavy traffic and chaos that occurred on the day after Thanksgiving.
In the 1980s, retailers began offering special deals and discounts on Black Friday to attract more shoppers.
The rise of e-commerce in the 2000s led to the creation of Cyber Monday, a day dedicated to online shopping deals.
In recent years, Black Friday sales have started earlier and earlier, with some retailers opening their doors on Thanksgiving Day.
The popularity of Black Friday has spread beyond the United States, with many other countries now offering their own versions of the shopping holiday.
Critics of Black Friday argue that the emphasis on consumerism and materialism detracts from the true meaning of the holiday season.