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MY'STORY

The MOVE Fire

This is a personal recollection on the Move fire on May 13, 1985 Philadelphia police fired thousands of rounds at the MOVE house, city officials approved dropping an explosive device on the roof, the resulting fire was allowed to burn, 11 people—including five children—died, and 61 homes were destroyed. Philadelphia City Council later called it a “brutal attack carried out by the City of Philadelphia on its own citizens” and acknowledged that no individual faced criminal consequences for the bombing. One timeline correction worth preserving for the BHP record: the major previous MOVE-police confrontation was August 8, 1978, about seven years before the bombing, not a year or two earlier. Officer James Ramp was killed, other police and firefighters were wounded, nine MOVE members were later convicted, and television cameras recorded police beating Delbert Africa during his arrest. The 1985 MOVE Commission later specifically criticized city planners for failing to adequately use lessons from that 1978 confrontation. And that actually strengthens the point you’re making: 1985 did not happen without precedent or institutional memory. There had already been a deadly confrontation with MOVE, years of conflict, negotiations and police involvement before Osage Avenue.

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BLACK FACTS
The Truths They Never Taught You...

Ruler of the Mali Empire in the 14th century

Mansa Musa was the ruler of the Mali Empire in West Africa. Details recorded here should be sourced; unknown information is left blank.

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BHP gathered finds from its connected research sources. Showing the 4 strongest Black History matches.
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NMAAHC

Delegate

Date
1985
Subject of
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, American, founded 1909
National Urban League, American, founded 1910
Sigma Phi Rho Fraternity, American, founded 1978
National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, American, founded 1969
Association of Black Women Attorneys, American, founded 1976
National Urban Affairs Council, American, founded 1971
Raymond A. Jordan Jr., American, born 1943
National Association of Market Developers, American, founded 1953
The Links, Incorporated, American, founded 1946
Northside Center for Child Development, Inc., American, founded 1946
National Newspaper Publishers Association, American, founded 1827
Prince Hall Freemasonry, founded 1784
Chi Delta Mu Fraternity, Inc., American, founded 1913
Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc., American, founded 1964
Lambda Kappa Mu Sorority, Inc., American, founded 1937
Carats, Inc., American, founded 1959
Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc., American, founded 1932
National United Church Ushers Association of America, Inc., American, founded 1919
Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc., American, founded 1929
National Medical Association, American, founded 1895
Dr. Leslie L. Alexander, Jamaican American, 1917 - 2002
Smithsonian Institution, American, founded 1846
National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc., American, founded 1923
Morehouse College, American, founded 1867
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, American, founded 1913
Shriners International, American, founded 1870
Dr. Benjamin Elijah Mays, American, 1894 - 1984
Count Basie, American, 1904 - 1984
National Coalition of 100 Black Women, American, founded 1981
National Bankers Association, American, founded 1927
369th Veterans Association, American
One Hundred Black Men, Inc., American, founded 1963
Association for the Study of African American Life and History, American, founded 1915
Caption
Founded by Pittsburgh Courier journalist C. Melvin Patrick, each yearly-issue of Delegate contains hundreds of photographs providing coverage of African American professional and fraternal organizations, special events, award recognitions, individuals of note, and newsworthy situations. The magazine was a virtual year in review of African American life in the United States during the 1960s and 1980s. Delegate magazines were distributed free of charge by African American organizations at their conferences and meetings.
Description
The 1985 20th Anniversary issue of Delegate magazine published by MelPat Associates. The cover has a white background featuring a grid of twenty-eight (28) portrait photographs. Under each photograph the name of the man or woman pictured is printed in red. At the upper left of the cover is a red ribbon badge with white text on a black background. It reads [1985]. To the right of the ribbon is [DELEGATE] in decorative blue & white block lettering with [20th ANNIVERSARY] printed underneath in red. Red text in the lower right corner reads [WASHINGTON / The Seat of / Government / & Education / 1900-1985 / Page 359]. The spine of the magazine is white with blue text that reads [DELEGATE, 1985 - The 9th Year of the 3rd Century].
The magazine’s content opens with an untitled editorial note recounting the events since the first issue of Delegate was published in 1965. This is followed by a masthead, set in white text against a black background reading [DELEGATE, 1983], and a table of contents.
The content then continues with profiles of African American business organizations, business leaders, events, community organizations, sororities, fraternities, doctors, dentists, politicians, actors, and journalists. This includes the NAACP, National Urban League, Bottle and Cork Club, Sigma Phi Rho Fraternity, National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, Black Achievers in Industry, The Northeasterners, National Association of Black Women Attorneys, The Beaux Arts Ball, Interracial Council for Business Opportunity, National Urban Affairs Council, Raymond A. Jordan Jr, Frederick Douglass Awards Dinner, National Association of Market Developers, Somerset Importers, Northside Center for Child Development, John Hunter Camp Fund, National Newspaper Publishers Association, Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Chi Delta Mu Fraternity, National Association of Urban Bankers, The Upward Fund, PHelps-Stokes Center for Human Development, Top Ladies of Distinction, Lambda Kappa Mu Sorority, Carats, Chi Eta Phi Sorority, National United Church Ushers Association, National Women of Achievement, Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, National Medical Association, Leslie Alexander, Smithsonian Institution, Chesebrough-Ponds, Ciba-Geigy, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Phi Delta Kappa, Tuskegee Airmen, National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Phi Beta Sigma, Morehouse School of Medicine, Equitable’s 12th Black Achievement Recognition Dinner, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine, Kool City Jam Concert, Harlem Day Parade, Charles Buchanan, John Connors, George Meares Memorial Scholarship Fund, Dr. Benjamin Mays, Count Basie, Communications Excellence to Black Audiences, 100 Black Women, East Harlem Triangles Association, National Association for Sickle Cell Disease, National Bankers Association, 369th Veterans Association, The Edges Group, Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History, American Wheelchair Association, National Association of Media Women, One Hundred Black Men, Associated Black Charities, E.P.C. International Inc. Evening of Elegance, The Nor-Jer-Men, Epsilon Sigma Chapter, Epsilon Beta Sigma Chapter, and Comus Social Club. There are also several wedding announcements and a feature on Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts. The issue ends with an extended feature story on Washington, DC.
There are approximately 480 pages with black and white photographs and advertisements throughout, as well as a few advertisements in color. The back cover of the magazine features a full page advertisement for Kool cigarettes.
Transcription Center Status
Transcribed by digital volunteers
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification
Books and Published Materials
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Anne B. Patrick and the family of Hilda E. Stokely
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2012.167.19
Type
magazines (periodicals)
Restrictions & Rights
Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Medium
ink on paper
Dimensions
H x W x D: 10 13/16 × 8 7/16 × 9/16 in. (27.5 × 21.4 × 1.5 cm)
Title
Title • Delegate
Record ID
nmaahc_2012.167.19
Museum
NMAAHC
Title Sort
DELEGATE
Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Metadata Usage
CC0
Date
1980s
Geo Location
Locale • Harlem • City • New York City • State • New York • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America • Locale • Martha's Vineyard • City • Oak Bluffs • County • Dukes County • State • Massachusetts • City • Washington • State • District of Columbia
Online Media Type
Images
Online Media Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions

Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture, Smithsonian Institution. Rights and restrictions shown above are supplied by the Smithsonian record.

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NMAAHC

Annie Pearl Avery Oral History Interview

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NMAAHC

Myrtle Gonza Glascoe Oral History Interview

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NMAAHC

Delegate

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NMAAHC

Ticket to the premiere of The Last Dragon

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TOPIC OF THE DAY

Greenwood / Black Wall Street

Before the 1921 destruction of Tulsa’s Greenwood District, Black residents had created a remarkable center of business and community life. The district included stores, professional offices, entertainment venues and homes owned by Black citizens. Understanding Greenwood means learning what was built—not only what was burned.

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TRIVIA QUESTION OF THE DAY

Which Supreme Court case ruled state-sponsored public-school segregation unconstitutional?

Brown v. Board of Education in 1954.