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THE JOURNEY THROUGH TIME

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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...

The Violence That Helped Spark the NAACP

In August 1908, a white mob attacked Springfield, Illinois’s Black community, destroying homes and businesses and lynching two Black men. National outrage over the violence helped spur the movement that created the NAACP the following year.

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

Model 1860 Army revolver by Colt

Date
ca. 1863
Caption
This model of revolver was used widely by United States Colored Troops (USCT), cavalry, infantry, artillery, and naval forces during and after the American Civil War.
Description
A Model 1860 Colt Army .44 caliber revolver constructed with a walnut grip; steel barrel, cylinder, frame, and other brass and steel fittings. The revolver features a front sight, extractor rod, and a cartouche of the Colt patent and patent date, with serial number– engraved on the frame: [COLTS PATENT 4265 / PAT SEPT 10 1850]. Along the entire cylinder are etch engravings of full sail sea ships and wharf. Below the cylinder, engraved along the frame above the brass trigger guard plate, is: [COLTS PATENT]. Also marked by serial number at barrel bottom, trigger guard front, and chamber bottom, is “4265”. The bottom of the barrel is engraved: [ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA]. Engraved at the top of the frame, behind the hammer, is an “H”. The proper left side of the grip features a second cartouche of initials in English script: [BH]. Beside the screw, engraved on the steel butt plate is the serial number, “4265”.
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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
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
2018.116.8
Type
revolvers
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Medium
walnut, brass (alloy) and steel
Dimensions
H x W x D: 13 9/16 × 5 5/8 × 1 9/16 in. (34.5 × 14.3 × 4 cm)
Title
Object Name • Model 1860 Army revolver by Colt
Record ID
nmaahc_2018.116.8
Museum
NMAAHC
Title Sort
MODEL 1860 ARMY REVOLVER BY COLT
Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Metadata Usage
CC0
Date
1860s
Exhibition
NMAAHC • Slavery and Freedom
Geo Location
City • Hartford • County • Hartford County • State • Connecticut • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America
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

Model 1860 Army revolver by Colt

Date: Date

Caption

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NMAAHC

Cartridge pouch for a Colt M1896 (0.38-caliber) revolver

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Key for rigid speed handcuffs manufactured by Hiatt and Company

Date: Date

Caption

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NMAAHC

M1917 Revolver issued by US Army during WWI to Charles H. Houston

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 heavyweight champion was known as the “Brown Bomber”?

Joe Louis.