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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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THE JOURNEY THROUGH TIME
BHP HOME BEFORE AMERICA 1800–1936 1937–1957 1958–1980 1981–2000 2001–PRESENT

Explore Black History

Explore the people, places, events, achievements, struggles and stories that shaped our journey.

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Events

Moments that changed communities, movements, institutions and the nation.

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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

Pine box owned by Pvt. Marquis Peterson, Co. F, 55th Mass. Vol. Inf.

Date
1863-1896
Created by
Unidentified
Owned by
Marquis Peterson, American, 1832 - 1896
Subject of
55th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, American, 1863 - 1865
Description
A wooden box owned by Marquis Peterson. The rectangular box is varnished brown and has a lid on top. Embossed on the lid is “55 / Mass. Vol. Inf. / Marquis Peterson.” The lid is connected to the box by two metal hinges. The sides of the box are constructed with dovetail joints and the bottom is nailed in place. A metal clasp runs the length of the box and secures the lid in place at front.
Place used
United States, North and Central America
Topic
African American
Free communities of color
Military
U.S. History, Civil War, 1861-1865
United States Colored Troops
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification
Slavery and Freedom Objects
Memorabilia and Ephemera - Other
Exhibition
Slavery and Freedom
On View
NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 3, C3 053
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
2017.78.1
Type
boxes (containers)
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Medium
wood, metal
Dimensions
H x W x D: 2 1/8 × 9 7/16 × 6 1/4 in. (5.4 × 24 × 15.8 cm)
Title
Object Name • Pine box owned by Pvt. Marquis Peterson, Co. F, 55th Mass. Vol. Inf.
Record ID
nmaahc_2017.78.1
Museum
NMAAHC
Title Sort
PINE BOX OWNED BY PVT. MARQUIS PETERSON, CO. F, 55TH MASS. VOL. INF.
Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Metadata Usage
CC0
Date
1890s • 1860s
Name
Peterson, Marquis • 55th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment
Place
United States • North and Central America
Topic
U.S. History, Civil War, 1861-1865 • Free communities of color • Military • United States Colored Troops
Culture
African Americans
Exhibition
NMAAHC • Slavery and Freedom
Geo Location
Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America
Type
Boxes (containers)
On Physical Exhibit
Yes
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

Ticket to a championship boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Ken Norton

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Microphone box used by Ralph McDaniels on the television show Video Music Box

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Money box used by Bishop Richard Allen

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Pine box owned by Pvt. Marquis Peterson, Co. F, 55th Mass. Vol. Inf.

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

Which Black woman became the first elected to the United States Congress?

Shirley Chisholm, elected in 1968.