When do Thanksgiving and Black Friday Fall on the 2025 Calendar?
Thanksgiving in the United States is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, marking a time to gather with loved ones and share gratitude. It also signals the start of the holiday shopping season, with Black Friday beginning the next day.
Thanksgiving Date in 2025
In 2025, Thanksgiving falls on November 27, which is near the latest date possible for this holiday in November. Consequently, Black Friday will occur on November 28.
Historical Background of Thanksgiving's Date
Since 1942, Thanksgiving has officially been on the fourth Thursday of November. Before that, dating back to President Abraham Lincoln's era, it was observed on the last Thursday in November. The difference between these two traditions is minor, as the last Thursday could range between November 23 and November 29.
Reason for the Date Change
The shift to fixing Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday was influenced by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In 1939, during the Great Depression, Roosevelt moved the holiday earlier to extend the holiday shopping period, aiming to boost American business. Congress formalized this change with a law in 1942.
Black Friday as a Modern Holiday
The day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday, has evolved into a major American shopping event known for significant retailer discounts, effectively becoming a holiday in its own right.
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: Thanksgiving’s date was changed in 1939 to the fourth Thursday to extend the shopping season, with 2025’s Thanksgiving on November 27 and Black Friday on November 28.