The day following Thanksgiving, usually referred to as Black Friday, is now one of the largest shopping days of the year in the United States.

National chain retailers often provide a small number of money-saving discounts on a selection of items while simultaneously giving equivalent deals online in an attempt to entice shoppers into their physical locations.

Contrary to popular belief, the term “Black Friday” does not originate from the notion that companies run at a loss or are “in the red” until the day after Thanksgiving, when significant sales finally enable them to make a profit or are “in the black.”

In the early 1960s, Philadelphia police officers coined the term “Black Friday” to characterize the commotion that erupted when a sizable influx of suburban visitors came in the city to begin their Christmas shopping and, in some cases, to attend the annual Army-Navy football game on Saturday.

The phrase’s more precise meaning first became clear at this point. The police had to work longer hours than usual due to the enormous number of people because of stealing, traffic jams, accidents, and other issues.

Black Friday acquired its moniker this way.