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GREENWOOD / BLACK WALL STREET WILMINGTON 1898 LITTLE ROCK NINE TUSKEGEE STUDY ROSEWOOD 1923 THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN SENECA VILLAGE BLACK TOWNS GREENWOOD / BLACK WALL STREET WILMINGTON 1898 LITTLE ROCK NINE TUSKEGEE STUDY ROSEWOOD 1923 THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN SENECA VILLAGE BLACK TOWNS
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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...

Wilmington 1898 — An American Coup

Wilmington, North Carolina once had a thriving Black middle class and an elected interracial government. In 1898 white supremacists used violence to overthrow that government, kill Black residents and drive many others from the city.

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BHP gathered finds from its connected research sources. Showing the 3 strongest Black History matches.
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NMAAHC

Fatigue shirt worn by Spc. James E. Brown II of the 20th Engineer Brigade

Date
1970
Manufactured by
Bonham Manufacturing Company Inc., American
Worn by
James Edward Brown II, American
Used by
United States Army, American, founded 1775
Caption
This short-sleeved Army fatigue shirt belonged to Spc. James Edward Brown II of the 20th Engineer Brigade. During the Vietnam War, Brown’s unit cleared jungles, paved roads, and built bridges to support American and allied forces.
Description
Military fatigue shirt worn by Spc. James E. Brown II (Delta Company, 31st Combat Engineer Battalion, 20th Engineer Brigade) during the Vietnam War. The short sleeve, olive green, button down style shirt is missing two front plastic buttons. It has four pockets on the front, each with a flap and a two button closure. Extremely worn, it has a large faded patch over the front right side. There are holes throughout: on the left top breast pocket, on the front button placket, next to right hand breast pocket and into right armpit. There is a name patch reading 'BROWN' over right top pocket and a patch reading 'U.S. Army' over left top pocket. It has a fold over style collar, very worn at the back of neck. There is a United States Military Assistance Command shoulder sleeve insignia on the right shoulder. It consists of a shield shaped patch with a black sword between black battlements. There is a 20th Engineer Brigade shoulder insignia on the left shoulder. It consists of a diamond shaped patch with a black three turret tower inside a broken black border on green field.
Back:
There is a small hole in the right shoulder, and large tears along bottom left hem. There is fading and discoloration throughout.
Inside:
There is a sewn-in tag at the collar. It is a white rectangle with black print.
'MEDIUM-SHORT/ Chest 37-41 inches/ HEIGHT: Up to 57 inches/ 8405-935-4707'
There is a sewn-in tag on lower right side. It is a white rectangle with black print. For full text please see notes text entries.
Place used
Viet Nam, Asia
Cambodia, Asia
Topic
African American
Clothing and dress
Men
Military
Vietnam War, 1961-1975
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification
Clothing - Military Uniforms
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of James E. Brown
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2013.11.1
Type
uniforms
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Medium
cotton (fiber) and plastic
Dimensions
H x W: 30 x 35 in. (76.2 x 88.9 cm)
Title
Object Name • Fatigue shirt worn by Spc. James E. Brown II of the 20th Engineer Brigade
Record ID
nmaahc_2013.11.1
Museum
NMAAHC
Title Sort
FATIGUE SHIRT WORN BY SPC. JAMES E. BROWN II OF THE 20TH ENGINEER BRIGADE
Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Metadata Usage
CC0
Date
1970s
Name
United States Army • Brown, James Edward • Bonham Manufacturing Company Inc.
Place
Viet Nam • Cambodia • Asia
Topic
Clothing and dress • Men • Vietnam War, 1961-1975 • Military
Culture
African Americans
Geo Location
Country • Viet Nam • Continent • Asia • Country • Cambodia
Type
Uniforms
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.

NMAAHC

Photographic print of a young girl standing on a chair

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Photograph of Rev. J. B. Beckham

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Fatigue shirt worn by Spc. James E. Brown II of the 20th Engineer Brigade

Date: Date

Caption

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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 heavyweight champion was known as the “Brown Bomber”?

Joe Louis.