Look back at Black Friday holiday shopping mayhem in America through the years
Look back at Black Friday holiday shopping mayhem in America through the years
Camille Fine
On the day after Thanksgiving, holiday shoppers flood downtown, lining up outside Mabley & Carew in Carew Tower Nov. 29, 1946 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Black Friday, which falls on the Friday after Thanksgiving, has been known as the unofficial beginning of the holiday shopping period since the commence of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1924. The term “Black Friday” was officially coined in the 1960s by Philadelphia police. Read more about the origins of Black Friday and receive a look back at historical photos of the day throughout history.
Carl Wellinger, The Cincinnati Enquirer Via USA TODAY Network
Church Street in downtown Nashville, Tenn., is packed with shoppers and cars Nov. 25, 1960, to kick off the official first day of Christmas shopping the day after Thanksgiving.
Eldred Reaney, The Tennessean Via USA TODAY Network
weary but joyful, Mrs. Ernest Tuck of Winfred Ave. in Nashville, Tenn., rests her feet after a long day of Christmas shopping downtown the day after Thanksgiving Nov. 29, 1963.
Frank Empson, The Tennessean Via USA TODAY Network
A throng at Sixth Avenue and Church Street in downtown Nashville, Tenn., the day after Thanksgiving on Nov. 26, 1965.
Jack Corn, The Tennessean Via USA TODAY Network
Downtown Church Street becomes a sea of Christmas bargain hunters Nov. 25, 1966, the day after Thanksgiving in Nashville, Tenn.
Frank Empson, The Tennessean Via USA TODAY Network
City sidewalks were busy on the day after Thanksgiving, as shoppers clogged the walkways along Wisconsin Ave. at Plankinton Ave. on Nov. 29, 1968 in Milwaukee, Wis.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Via USA TODAY Network
Christmas shoppers launch the holiday period the day after Thanksgiving as they hurry along Church Street in search of gifts on Nov. 28, 1969 in Nashville, Tenn.
Frank Empson, The Tennessean Via USA TODAY Network
Mrs. Edwin Mason and son, Eddie, 5, of Lebanon, Tenn., ponder the matter of recent luggage under the Christmas tree in one of the department stores lining downtown Church Street in Nashville, Tenn., the day after Thanksgiving Nov. 27, 1970.
Joe Rudis, The Tennessean Via USA TODAY Network
Shoppers throng a department store on Church Street in downtown Nashville, Tenn., on Nov. 26, 1976.
Dale Ernsberger, The Tennessean Via USA TODAY Network
A stack of men’s shirts on sale at the Cain-Sloan department store at Hickory Hollow Mall is attracting droves of holiday shoppers the day after Thanksgiving Nov. 29, 1985 in Nashville, Tenn.
Dianne Kelley, The Tennessean Via USA TODAY Network
Parking was at a additional expense at RiverGate Mall on Nov. 25, 1988, as shoppers thronged to the giant complicated to commence their Christmas buying the day after Thanksgiving Day in in Nashville, Tenn.
Rick Musacchio, The Tennessean Via USA TODAY Network
safety officer Kenny Davis stares through a one-way window overlooking the sales floor of Castner Knott’s downtown Church Street location as shoppers kick off the holiday period Nov. 24, 1989, the day after Thanksgiving in Nashville, Tenn.
Mike DuBose, The Tennessean Via USA TODAY Network
Shoppers let the escalator do the walking as they head for stores in the lower level at The Mall at Green Hills as they kick off the holiday period Nov. 24, 1989, the day after Thanksgiving in Nashville, Tenn.
Mike DuBose, The Tennessean Via USA TODAY Network
The parking lot at Hickory Hollow Mall is packed while potential shoppers circle the lanes hoping to discover a spot as they kick off the holiday period Nov. 24, 1989, the day after Thanksgiving in in Nashville, Tenn.
Freeman Ramsey Jr., The Tennessean Via USA TODAY Network
A large throng of shoppers rush in the doors of Kmart on North Main Street in Anderson, S.C., at 7 a.m. on Black Friday, Nov. 23, 1990.
Anderson Independent Mail Via USA TODAY Network
Christopher Habel, 7, of Milwaukee is captivated by a toy train set on display at the Kay-Bee Toy Store at Southridge Shopping Center in Milwaukee, Wis., in 1997.
Jim Gehrz, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Via USA TODAY Network
Shoppers throng the entrance of the Target store on White Bridge Road in Nashville, Tenn., for the first large day of Christmas shopping the day after Thanksgiving Day Nov. 28, 1997.
Jackie Bell, The Tennessean Via USA TODAY Network
Michelle Seal holds 2-year-ancient son, Ryan Seal, in the center court at Bellevue Mall in Nashville, Tenn., on Nov. 28, 1997 while her mother drops off film for developing. They are Christmas shopping on the day after Thanksgiving.
Jackie Bell, The Tennessean Via USA TODAY Network
Shoppers careen through the main floor at Macy’s department store in recent York on Nov. 28, 1997 the official commence of the holiday shopping period.
Peter Morgan, Reuters
Susan Sanei (L), of Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, and Karen O’Neil, of Collegeville, Pennsylvania carry their Black Friday shopping items to their car outside the King of Prussia Mall Nov. 28, 2003 in King of Prussia, Pa.
William Thomas Cain, Getty Images
Christmas period shoppers leave the Wal-Mart store in Fairfax, Virgina, Nov. 28, 2003.
Paul J. Richards, AFP Via Getty Images
Customers pay for their items while doing their Black Friday shopping at KB Toys, which opened at 5am, in the King of Prussia Mall Nov. 28, 2003 in King of Prussia, Pa.
William Thomas Cain, Getty Images
Shoppers clog the aisles at Macy’s Department store Nov. 28, 2003 in recent York City.
Stephen Chernin, Getty Images
Early morning shoppers pack the aisles at a Wal-Mart store Nov. 26, 2004 in Hobart, Indiana.
Tasos Katopodis, Getty Images
Kim McCullough from Macclenny, Fl., sits bundled under her blanket as she waits for the Target in Jacksonville to open Friday morning on Nov. 24, 2006. “I got here early and there weren’t many people here so I went to Orange Park and there was a large line so I came back here.” said McCullough.
Bob Self, The Florida Times-Union Via USA TODAY Network
People wait in line before the 5 a.m. opening of “Black Friday” sales at the Best Buy store in Westbury, recent York Nov. 28, 2008.
Shannon Stapleton, Reuters
A woman tries to fit into a car packed with toys after shopping at Toys R Us during “Black Friday” in Garden City, recent York, Nov. 28, 2008.
Shannon Stapleton, Reuters
Zack Zrull, 24, of Plymouth walks around Target in Madison Heights, Mich., with a sign “Buy Nothing” and “What Would Jesus Buy” hanging off his back. Zrull was trying to send a communication for “Buy Nothing Day” which he read about on the internet which occurs today the busiest shopping day of the year. Zrull was forced to receive it off by safety as he waited in line with his girlfriend who was doing the shopping at Target on John R in Madison Heights on Friday November 27, 2009. Target was one of many stores in the area that opened at 5 am for customers looking for great deals on gifts for Christmas.
Eric Seals, Detroit Free Press Via USA TODAY Network
Thousands of shoppers jam the Arrowhead Towne Center around 12:30 am for Black Friday bargains in Glendale, Ariz., on Nov. 27, 2009.
Tom Tingle, The Arizona Republic Via USA TODAY Network
Children wait with shopping bags inside Macy’s department store on “Black Friday” shopping day Nov. 26, 2010 in recent York City.
Chris Hondros, Getty Images
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