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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
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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

Gray fur coat with dark brown fur collar and hem by James P McQuay

Date
1960s - 1970s
Designed by
James P. McQuay, American, born 1924
Subject of
Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
Description
A gray fur coat with a dark brown collar and hem. The coat features an oversized (possibly beaver) fur single notched collar and a matching bottom hem. Grey and white fur pelts from an unidentified animal are handstitched together and glued to a layer of black wool. There are no discernable seams on the front panel of the coat. Three round plastic buttons that resemble faceted jet are handstitched to the proper right panel of the coat, and the three corresponding elastic loops made from synthetic material are stitched to the proper left. The front of the coat features two pockets: one at the proper left waist and one at the proper right. Each sleeve is a single piece, sewn together at the inside seam. The grey and white fur collar is seamed together at the center back. The coat is lined with three panels of black synthetic silk fabric that has been machine stitched together and slip stitched to outside of the coat. There are two long darts in the center back of the lining, one on the proper left and one at the proper right. The sleeve lining is one panel piece seamed together. Black velvet applique flowers with decorative stems, are handstitched to the bottom of the inner lining at the proper right and left. A black fabric tag with a white scalloped edge border stitched near the interior collar reads [STYLED BY//JAMES P MCQUAY//NEW YORK] in white text.
Cataloging Notes
This project received Federal support from the Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative Pool, administered by the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum.
Topic
African American
Clothing and dress
Design
Fashion
Fashion design
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title
Black Fashion Museum Collection
Classification
Clothing - Fashion and Historical
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2007.3.16
Type
coats
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Medium
fur with synthetic silk satin, elastic, velvet, and plastic
Dimensions
H x W (flat): 45 × 33 3/4 in. (114.3 × 85.7 cm)
Title
Object Name • Gray fur coat with dark brown fur collar and hem by James P McQuay
Record ID
nmaahc_2007.3.16
Museum
NMAAHC
Title Sort
GRAY FUR COAT WITH DARK BROWN FUR COLLAR AND HEM BY JAMES P MCQUAY
Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Metadata Usage
CC0
Date
1960s • 1970s
Name
McQuay, James P. • Black Fashion Museum
Topic
Design • Clothing and dress • Fashion
Culture
African Americans
Type
Coats (garments)
Online Media Type
Images
Online Media Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions

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

Gray fur coat with dark brown fur collar and hem by James P McQuay

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Photograph of brothers Moses, James and Hermon Bryant

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NMAAHC

Maggie's American Dream: The Life and Times of a Black Family

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Description

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NMAAHC

Bill of sale for two enslaved women, Nelly and Milley, and their six children

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.