Black Friday

Black Friday is the day after thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States and several other countries. It is regarded as the first day of the traditional Christmas shopping season when special reduced prices are offered by sellers. The term came to be in use in this sense after 1960s, when it was originally used with reference to congestion created by shoppers. Later, it was explained that on that day retailers accounts went from being "in the red" to "in the black". However, in the early 17th century, it was used as a school slang meaning "Friday on which an examination is held".

Friday, September 24, 1869 is also called the "Black Friday". On that day a few speculators unsuccessfully attempted to corner the US gold market. President Ulysses S Grant thwarted the attempt by releasing government gold for sale. It caused to plummet the gold prices creating panic in the stock market, and thus the attempt of the speculators thwarted.