Thanksgiving, a cherished American holiday for gathering with loved ones and expressing gratitude, also marks the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season. This year, Thanksgiving will be celebrated on November 28, 2025, making it one of the latest possible dates for the holiday. The following day, Black Friday, will launch the retail shopping frenzy.
Thanksgiving has been officially recognized on the fourth Thursday in November since 1942. However, its history dates back to the time of President Abraham Lincoln when it was celebrated on the last Thursday of the month. President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved the holiday to the fourth Thursday in November in 1939, believing that an earlier Thanksgiving would stimulate American businesses by providing extra shopping days before Christmas. The change was eventually codified by Congress in 1942.
In recent years, Black Friday has evolved into a significant cultural event in its own right, often hailed as the biggest shopping day of the year. The term “Black Friday” emerged in the 1980s and reflects the concept of retailers transforming their financial situation from “in the red” to “in the black,” as sales surge on this day. The shopping excitement extends through the weekend and culminates in Cyber Monday, an online shopping event introduced in 2005, set for December 1 this year.
To summarize, Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, followed closely by Black Friday and Cyber Monday, where Americans indulge in shopping and gift-giving as the holiday season commences. As consumers prepare for these events, the spirit of giving and celebration enriches the festive atmosphere.