Why that day after thanksgiving they call it Black Friday?

The term "Black Friday" has been used in multiple contexts. Back in 1966, "Black Friday" is the name which the Philadelphia Police Department has given to the Friday following Thanksgiving Day because it officially opens the Christmas shopping season and it usually brings massive traffic jams and over-crowded sidewalks causing them headaches. Another one came from or reference Philadelphia and refer to the heavy traffic of black drivers on that day. But the one that makes most sense to me is the day being associated with a financial crisis in 1869 where the big sale on that Friday following Thanksgiving turned most business from red (loss) into the black (profit). Happy Thanksgiving and have fun shopping tomorrow! =)

Because all the retailers are in the Black and you are heading towards the Red. They should call it something else.

Hey Bebs! Well, it is supposed to be a chance for the stores to make money to get themselves our of the "red", meaning "debt". I believe that is where they got the term. What it really is is a very dangerous time for people to go shopping! The stores have incredibly insane deals on everything, especially "big ticket items", like tv's, computers, games, toys, phones and other expensive items! People are just crazy! They wait in line from 3:00am for the stores to open at 5:00am! My boyfriend shopping today at 6:00am! I didn't dare go with him! And all he ended up getting was a pair of sneakers~