When do Thanksgiving and Black Friday fall on the 2025 calendar, and why?
Thanksgiving in the United States is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, a tradition that began in the early 1940s. In 2025, this holiday will fall on November 27, one of the latest possible dates it can occur in the month. The next day, November 28, will mark Black Friday — the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season.
Historical Background
For decades, dating back to the presidency of Abraham Lincoln, Thanksgiving was held on the last Thursday of November. However, this changed when President Franklin D. Roosevelt decided to shift it earlier during the Great Depression.
“President Franklin D. Roosevelt hoped that the earlier Thanksgiving would be good for American business by offering more shopping days before Christmas.”
He officially proclaimed Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday in November in 1939. Congress then codified this timing into law in 1942, and the date has remained that way ever since.
Modern Tradition
Today, Thanksgiving is both a time for family gatherings and reflection and a marker for the beginning of the holiday retail season. The transition from Thanksgiving Day to Black Friday has become a hallmark of American culture, highlighting both gratitude and commerce.
Author’s summary: Thanksgiving 2025 falls on November 27, continuing a tradition established during Roosevelt’s era; it also precedes the major shopping event, Black Friday, on November 28.