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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

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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...

Shirley Chisholm — Unbought and Unbossed

In 1968 Shirley Chisholm became the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress. In 1972 she launched a campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination, breaking another political barrier.

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

Liberian Order of African Redemption badge awarded to William Beverly Carter

Date
ca. 1977
Issued by
Republic of Liberia, Liberian, founded 1848
Received by
William Beverly Carter Jr., American, 1921 - 1982
Subject of
President William Tolbert, Liberian, 1913 - 1980
Description
The Liberian Order of African Redemption Grand Commander badge awarded to Ambassador William Beverly Carter, Jr. by Liberian President William Richard Tolbert Jr. It is a two (2) piece, double-sided pendant medal; a five-pointed star suspended from a wreath. It is constructed from metal and detailed in gilt and enamel. The main body of the medal is a five-pointed star, with each point covered in white enamel and terminating with a gilt ball. Golden rays extend from between the arms. At the center of the star, on the obverse, there is a roundel with two (2) figures with broken chains at their feet, kneeling at the base of a cross bearing the letters [INRI]. The figures, a male and a female, are depicted in profile facing the cross. The male’s hands are held up in a prayer pose, while the female’s proper left hand rests on the cross. The roundel is framed by a green and red enameled wreath of laurels and berries. In the roundel on the reverse, is a variation of the coat of arms of Liberia: a three-mast ship with its sails raised, approaching land. On the left is a sun setting on the horizon and on the right is a palm tree. Sitting on the shore, in the foreground, is a plough. Above the ship, is a bird holding a document in its beak. The rondel is encircled in a light blue enamel frame with the gilt letters of the motto of the Republic of Liberia, [THE LOVE OF LIBERTY BROUGHT US HERE]. The top of the star is threaded through the bezel of a green and red enameled wreath of laurels and berries. A lobster claw clasp and two (2) jump rings are attached to the top of the wreath.
Place used
Liberia, West Africa, Africa
Topic
African American
Africa
Government
International affairs
Politics
U.S. History, 1969-2001
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title
Archive of Ambassador W. Beverly Carter
Classification
Awards, Medals, and Insignia
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the family of Ambassador William Beverly Carter, Jr.
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
A2019.45.1.3.1
Type
commemorative medals
Restrictions & Rights
Unknown - Restrictions Possible
Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Medium
enamel on metal
Dimensions
H x W x D: 4 15/16 × 2 3/8 × 3/8 in. (12.6 × 6 × 0.9 cm)
Title
Object Name • Liberian Order of African Redemption badge awarded to William Beverly Carter
Record ID
nmaahc_A2019.45.1.3.1
Museum
NMAAHC
Title Sort
LIBERIAN ORDER OF AFRICAN REDEMPTION BADGE AWARDED TO WILLIAM BEVERLY CARTER
Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Metadata Usage
CC0
Date
1970s
Name
Republic of Liberia • Carter, William Beverly • Tolbert, William
Place
Liberia • West Africa
Topic
Government • Politics • U.S. History, 1969-2001 • International affairs
Culture
African Americans
Geo Location
Country • Liberia • Region • West Africa • Continent • Africa
Type
commemorative medals
Online Media Rights
Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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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NMAAHC

Liberian Order of African Redemption star awarded to William Beverly Carter

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Ambassador’s flag owned by Ambassador William Beverly Carter, Jr.

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Liberian Order of African Redemption badge awarded to William Beverly Carter

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Pinback button featuring a campaign portrait of Senator William B. Nash

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.