ELI5 Black Friday - why is it called Black Friday?

ELI5 Explain Like I'm 5: Bite sized answers to stuff you should know about - in a mini podcast

Why is it called Black Friday? Why is thanksgiving itself always on a Thursday? Was Macy’s the first American department store to sponsor a parade in celebration of Thanksgiving? How did American football become such a big part of the thanksgiving tradition? Is it true that the day after Thanksgiving is the busiest day for plumbers?

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion.

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