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Black History Portal
THE BHP WIRE —
HIDDEN TRUTHS
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

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Events

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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 4 strongest Black History matches.
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NMAAHC

Photograph of Gen. Colin L. Powell being awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom

Date
July 3, 1991
Photograph by
The White House, founded 1792
Subject of
General Colin L. Powell, American, 1937 - 2021
President George H. W. Bush, American, born 1924
Owned by
General Colin L. Powell, American, 1937 - 2021
Caption
This photograph was inscribed by President George H.W. Bush on the occasion of General Powell being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1991. Along with the Congressional Gold Medal, the Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award of the United States. General Powell was awarded a second Presidential Medal of Freedom, with distinction, in 1993. This photograph hung in the sitting room of the Powell family's residence in McLean, Virginia.
Description
A framed and inscribed photograph of President George H.W. Bush awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to General Colin L. Powell. This photograph (a) captured the moment on July 3, 1991, that President Bush (right) awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 12th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Powell (left), in the East Room of the White House at Washington, D.C. General Powell is dressed in uniform, and President Bush wears a medium grey suit. Behind the men are tall US Armed Forces flags against a golden-brown background. In the photograph’s bottom white margin is an inscription in light blue ink that reads: [Medal of Freedom / Colin – Congratulations on this Well Deserved Honor. / Your Leadership Made our Entire Country proud. / George Bush]. The photograph (a) is set behind a white square window mat and housed inside of a gilt style, deep set, wooden frame (b).
Place captured
Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America
Topic
African American
Government
Men
Military
Photography
Politics
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification
Photographs and Still Images
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Alma J. Powell
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
A2022.101.1.16ab
Type
frames (furnishings)
photographs
Restrictions & Rights
No known copyright restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Medium
(a) ink on photographic paper
(b) wood , glass and cardboard
Dimensions
H x W (image): 5 1/2 × 7 15/16 in. (14 × 20.2 cm)
H x W (sheet): 7 1/2 × 9 7/16 in. (19 × 24 cm)
H x W x D (frame): 14 3/4 × 16 3/4 × 1 in. (37.5 × 42.5 × 2.5 cm)
Title
Object Name • Photograph of Gen. Colin L. Powell being awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
Record ID
nmaahc_A2022.101.1.16ab
Museum
NMAAHC
Title Sort
PHOTOGRAPH OF GEN. COLIN L. POWELL BEING AWARDED PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM
Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Metadata Usage
CC0
Date
1990s
Name
Bush, George H. W. • The White House • Powell, Colin L.
Place
District of Columbia • United States • North and Central America • Washington
Topic
Photography • Government • Politics • Military
Culture
African Americans
Geo Location
City • Washington • State • District of Columbia • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America
Type
Frames • Photographs
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

Framed photograph of General Colin L. Powell and President George W. Bush

Date: Date

Caption

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No preview image
NMAAHC

Chromogenic print of President Bush with Rabbi Funnye and Rabbinit Miriam Funnye

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Framed photograph of General Colin L. Powell's swearing in as Secretary of State

Date: Date

Caption

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NMAAHC

Photograph of Gen. Colin L. Powell being awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom

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

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

Madam C.J. Walker