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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

Bel Enfant Noir / Prendre Le Vent

Date
1971
Recorded by
Christine Lebail, French
Subject of
Nina Simone, American, 1933 - 2003
Description
A 45 rpm record of Nina Simone's single "To Be Young, Gifted, and Black" as recorded by French singer Christine Lebail, with a letter to Andy Stroud from Ivan Mogull asking for Simone's written praise.
The vinyl record (a) has a pink and white label at the center, one side reading [FACE A / Prendre Le Vent] and the other reading [FACE B / BEL ENFANT NOIR 2'45 / Musique de Nina Simone / Parole de Frank Gérald / CHRISTINE LEBAIL]. A red "X" has been added by hand on either side of the Side B label. The record album sleeve (b) features a headshot of Lebail set against an orange background with [christine / LEBAIL / BEL ENFANT NOIR / PRENDRE LE VENT] in white text on the left side. The back of the sleeve features black text on a yellow background with [CHRISTINE LEBAIL] across the top and lyrics for "Prendre Le Vent" on the left and "Bel Enfant Noir" on the right. A red "X" has been added by hand on either side of the text [BEL ENFANT NOIR]. At the bottom is the copyright notice [1971 BAGATELLE - 10, rue Washington - Paris 8]. At top right is [disc AZ] logo.
The letter (c) is a single sheet of [ivan mogull music corporation] letterhead and is printed on one side in black typewritten ink. It is dated [November 8, 1971] and addressed to [Mr. Andy Stroud / Stroud Productions]. At center is written [Re: "TO BE YOUNG, GIFTED & BLACK" / Music by Nina Simone / Lyrics by Wildon J. Irvine]. The content of the letter states that a copy of the album is enclosed and that [our associate in France] has asked that Nina comment on the recording that [she likes it very much; thanking her for recording the song in French]. The letter is signed at the bottom [Cordially, / Ivan Mogull]. There are no markings on the back.
Place made
Paris, France, Europe
Place used
New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
Topic
African American
Business
Composers (Musicians)
Popular music
Race relations
Rhythm and blues (Music)
Singers (Musicians)
Soul (Music)
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification
Record Albums
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
2011.132.8.1ab
Type
record covers
45 rpm records
Restrictions & Rights
© 1971 Bagatelle
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Medium
vinyl with ink on paper (fiber product)
Dimensions
H x W (album sleeve): 7 × 7 in. (17.8 × 17.8 cm)
H x W (letter): 11 × 8 1/2 in. (27.9 × 21.6 cm)
Title
Title • Bel Enfant Noir / Prendre Le Vent
Record ID
nmaahc_2011.132.8.1ab
Museum
NMAAHC
Title Sort
BEL ENFANT NOIR / PRENDRE LE VENT
Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Metadata Usage
CC0
Date
1970s
Name
Lebail, Christine • Simone, Nina
Place
New York City • United States • Europe • North and Central America • France • Paris
Topic
Soul (Music) • Music • Composers (Musicians) • Singers (Musicians) • Race relations • Rhythm and blues (Music) • Business
Culture
African Americans
Geo Location
City • Paris • Country • France • Continent • Europe • City • New York City • State • New York • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America
Type
45 rpm records • Record covers
Online Media Type
Images
Online Media Rights
Use Restricted

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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Army Air Forces Certificate of Appreciation for War Services

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NMAAHC

Bel Enfant Noir / Prendre Le Vent

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Description

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NMAAHC

United States Air Force honor guard pallbearers carry the flag-draped coffin of U. S. Air Force Four Star General Daniel “Chappie” James from an Air Force C141 Starlifter airplane at Andrews Air Force Base, Suitland Maryland

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Description

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NMAAHC

Delta Air Lines uniform necktie worn by Eugene Harmond

Date: Date

Description

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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