Streets were flooded with excitement as consumers paced frantically in the hope of beating the long ques at shops created by the Black Friday frenzy. If you’re oblivious to the current buzz then you definitely must be living under a rock somewhere. TV screens and radio sets have been inundated with adverts displaying products with discounts of up to 50% off.
If that didn’t grab your attention then it’s safe to assume that your bank account is made of steel and this festive season shall be jolly. Now, how many people actually know the true origin of this phenomenon we have become so accustomed to every year? According to American history, Thanksgiving is observed on the fourth Thursday of November and is a holiday reserved for showing gratitude for the food collected at the end of the harvest season.
Black Friday follows Thanksgiving where in the 1950’s people were known for calling-in sick at work just to have an extended long weekend. Black Friday also marked the beginning of the festive season which saw shoppers causing traffic on the roads in a rush to get to the shops.
A myth that also circulated is that of black slaves being sold cheaply on Black Friday during the 1800’s. This is an interesting piece of information that deserves more research. The tradition and culture of buying products at a discount has definitely withstood the test of time as it still exists in 2019.
So what’s your take on these ancient holidays that still exist in the 21st century? Do they still have the same value they were reserved for in their inception or are they just remnants of an era that once was. One thing is for certainand that involves people appreciating the discounts that come with Black Friday.
