You may or may not be aware that we recently experienced ‘Black Friday’ in the UK. But apart from hearing about people fighting over TVs in Tescos, there’s quite a lot of confusion about what this day means and where it came from.

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There are several different theories about the origins of ‘Black Friday’, but it is certain that this hectic event has nothing to do with the trading of slaves on the day after Thanksgiving. This is due to the term ‘Black Friday’ not appearing until nearly a century after the slave trade was abolished in the USA.

Although, the first recorded usage of ‘Black Friday’ was in the early 1950s. Employees called in sick all across the country, creating turmoil for those who had to get stock out. Luckily, Glenn L. Martin, a Baltimore aircraft manufacturer, decided to drop all the prices on his stock, therefore starting the trend of bargains in stores everywhere.

By early 1960s, ‘Black Friday’ was being used regularly by the police of Philadelphia due to the amount of trouble caused by traffic and pedestrians. This started the negative outlook on this chaotic event.

The 1990s prevented all traffic police taking the day off, it was even common for the local police band to help direct traffic. Police officers were situated outside car parks and garages to prevent motorists parking on the curb, which would lead to the street size being reduced from two lanes to one. Massive gridlocks appeared everywhere.

Alternatively, ‘Black Friday’ could be the day when companies and stores show off the amount of profit they have made over the year by reducing the prices on the majority of stock, in addition it is the day when retailers make the most profit. By accounting terms, it is being ‘in the red’ then moving to ‘in the black’.

Since 2001, ‘Black Friday’ is officially the biggest shopping day of the year which, for some, is the perfect opportunity to upgrade electronic gadgets or treat yourself, but you will have to deal with the masses of crowds and traffic jams.