When Do Thanksgiving and Black Friday Fall in 2025, and Why?
Thanksgiving in the United States is a day for gathering with family and friends to share a meal and express gratitude. It also marks the start of the holiday shopping season, with Black Friday sales beginning the morning after Thanksgiving. In 2025, Thanksgiving falls on November 27, one of the latest possible dates, and Black Friday will be on November 28.
Thanksgiving Date History
Since 1942, Thanksgiving has officially been celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. Before that, from the time of President Abraham Lincoln until the early 20th century, it was observed on the last Thursday of November. This difference is subtle because the last Thursday could sometimes coincide with the fourth Thursday.
Reason for the Date Change
The change to the fourth Thursday was made by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939 during the Great Depression. He moved Thanksgiving earlier to extend the holiday shopping season and boost economic activity. In 1942, Congress passed a law to officially set Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November.
Black Friday's Rise as a Shopping Holiday
In recent decades, the day after Thanksgiving has evolved into Black Friday, a major retail event featuring significant discounts and sales, further highlighting Thanksgiving's link to the start of the holiday shopping period.
"Roosevelt declared Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday in November in 1939, at a time when the country was still mired in the Great Depression, and by 1942 Congress had passed a law to formalize that timing."
Author’s summary: The shift of Thanksgiving to the fourth Thursday was largely driven by economic motives, shaping both the holiday’s timing and the rise of Black Friday as a key shopping event.