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Black Friday 1963 Recap

Black Friday in 1963 took on a somber and unprecedented tone following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on Friday, November 22nd. The usual anticipation and excitement surrounding the day after Thanksgiving shopping were replaced by a nationwide sense of shock and mourning. Many retailers across the country either remained closed out of respect or observed moments of silence. The typical bustling crowds were noticeably thinner as people grappled with the tragic event that had unfolded just the day before. News coverage dominated television and radio, further overshadowing any traditional Black Friday promotions or sales.

The economic impact of the assassination extended to the retail sector, with consumer spending significantly subdued. The collective grief and uncertainty about the future led many to postpone or forgo their holiday shopping plans. While some stores did open, the atmosphere was far from festive, reflecting the national mood. It was a Black Friday unlike any other, indelibly marked by the profound loss of a president and a shared feeling of national tragedy, a stark contrast to the commercial frenzy the day would eventually become known for in subsequent years.