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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...

Katherine Johnson — Mathematics to the Moon

Katherine Johnson’s mathematical calculations helped guide some of America’s most important early space missions while she confronted the racial and gender barriers faced by Black women in twentieth-century America.

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

Flier for "Skate Fever’s 1st Annual Speed Skating Contest"

Date
October 30, 1983
Designed by
Buddy Esquire, American, 1959 - 2014
Distributed by
Dip Lite Productions, American
Subject of
Skate Fever, American, founded 1983
Printed by
Unidentified
Description
A flier for "Skate Fever’s 1st Annual Speed Skating Contest." The flier is in portrait orientation and is printed on yellow paper. It is covered top to bottom in printed black text and graphics. Printed at the top center is a large graphic of a roller skate in motion, flanked diagonally on either side with two smaller graphics of roller skates also in motion. Text printed in varying sizes and fonts in two boxes above the central graphic read [SKATE FEVER / 45 GOBLE PL. 1block off Mt Eden & Jerome Ave / present its]. Below, and framing the graphic, is an arched banner that reads [1st ANNUAL SPEED SKATING CONTEST]. The text directly below the graphic reads [$1,000 CASH / TROPHIES TO BE GIVEN AWAY!]. The bottom half of the flier has three boxes with contest information printed inside. The box on the left reads [ONLY UP TO 16 PERSONS WILL / BE ALLOWED TO COMPETE / SO SIGN UP NOW / EACH / SUNDAY]. The box at the center reads [1st Place $500 / 2nd [ditto mark for Place] 250 / 3rd [ditto mark for Place] 125 / 4th [ditto mark for Place] 75 / 5thPl: Fifty Dlrs]. The box on the far right reads [Two Winners picked each week, / After the 8th week 16 Finalists / will compete for the Grand Prize!]. Centered below is additional black and yellow text [WILL BE COMPETING AGAINST THE CLOCK! / STARTIN’ / SUN, OCT 30TH / The Fastest Time Wins! / CONTEST STARTS AT 10:30P.M. EVERY SUNDAY / $60 will be awarded each week. Along with 1st and 2nd Place Trophies!].
At the bottom of the flier are three additional boxes with printed admission fee and production information that reads [Adm / $4 / Each Sunday] and [ANOTHER DIP [graphic of a bulb] LITE PROD.] and [Adm / $4 / Each Sunday]. Vertically along the bottom left edge is printed and photocopied handwritten text that reads [NO ENTRY FEE -> Info: 583-3185*]. Vertically along the bottom right edge is printed and photocopied handwritten text that reads [Info: 583-3185[?]* NO ENTRY FEE]. Geometric shapes, graphics, and banners frame and encapsulate the flier’s text. Two checkered pyramid graphics frame either side of the contest title banner. The back of the flier has no text or inscriptions.
Transcription Center Status
Transcribed by digital volunteers
Place used
Bronx, New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
Topic
African American
Amusements
Design
Graphic design
Hip-hop (Music)
Nightlife
Roller skating
Sports
Urban life
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification
Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design
Memorabilia and Ephemera - Advertisements
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2020.38.1.1
Type
fliers (printed matter)
Restrictions & Rights
Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Medium
ink on paper (fiber product)
Dimensions
H x W: 10 7/8 × 8 7/16 in. (27.6 × 21.4 cm)
Title
Object Name • Flier for "Skate Fever’s 1st Annual Speed Skating Contest"
Record ID
nmaahc_2020.38.1.1
Museum
NMAAHC
Title Sort
FLIER FOR "SKATE FEVER’S 1ST ANNUAL SPEED SKATING CONTEST"
Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Metadata Usage
CC0
Date
1980s
Name
Esquire, Buddy • Dip Lite Productions • Skate Fever
Place
New York City • United States • North and Central America • Bronx
Topic
Design • Nightlife • Graphic arts • Hip-hop (Music) • Roller skating • Amusements • Urban life • Sports
Culture
African Americans
Geo Location
Locale • Bronx • City • New York City • State • New York • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America
Type
Fliers (printed matter)
Online Media Type
Images
Online Media Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions

Media

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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Black velveteen pillbox hat with bow

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Flier for “Black History Month Annual Cultural Freebee Jam” by Kool Lance

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Flier for “Chief Rocker Busy Bee’s Birthday”

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NMAAHC

Flier for "Skate Fever’s 1st Annual Speed Skating Contest"

Date: Date

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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

Who was the first African-American woman millionaire in the United States?

Madam C.J. Walker