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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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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

Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur

Date
May 12, 1992
Published by
Grand Chancery of the Legion of Honor, French, founded 1802
Received by
General Colin L. Powell, American, 1937 - 2021
Caption
General Colin Powell was awarded the Legion of Honor in 1992. The Legion of Honor was established by Napoleon Bonaparte in May 1802 and is the highest decoration in France. It is divided into five degrees of increasing distinction: Chevalier (Knight), Officier (Officer), Commandeur (Commander), Grand Officier (Grand Officer) and Grand Croix (Grand Cross). General Powell was awarded the degree of Commandeur.
Description
A framed Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur (National Order of the Legion of Honor) awarded by the Grand Chancery of the Legion of Honor to General Colin L. Powell. On May 12, 1992, General Colin Powell was awarded the highest French merit award: Commandeur level National Order of the Legion of Honor (a). At the French embassy in Paris, France, on July 24, 1992, General Powell was presented with the accompanying Legion of Honor badge (A2022.101.1.6.1a) and miniature Legion of Honor badge ribbon (A2022.101.1.6.2) and this certificate. The large white paper certificate features a decorative black-and-white border with the hanging Legion of Honor badge illustrated at the top center. The badge’s ribbon collar is depicted as infinitely interwoven like a scroll, with the olive branch of peace. At each of the four corners of the border, and at the top center, is “RH”.
In black ink the certificate reads: [RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE / ODRE NATIONAL DE LA LÉGION D’HONNEUR / HONNEUR PATRIE / LE PRÉSIDENT DE LA REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE / GRAND MAÎTRE DE L’ORDRE NATIONAL DE LA LÉGION D’HONNEUR / nomme par décret de ce jour, le Général d’Armée Colin, Luther POWELL / Chef d’Etat-Major des Armées américaines / COMMANDEUR DE LA LÉGION D’HONNEUR / Fait à Paris, le 12 mai 1992]. To the right of the raised opaque apostille in the lower left corner of the certificate is: [Scellé du sceau de l’Odre sous le n°43 LHE 92]. The signature of Le Secrétaire Général adjoint, signed “F. TISNÉ” is also present. In the lower right corner of the certificate is: [Par le Président de la République : / LE GRAND CHANCELIER DE LA LÉGION D’HONNEUR, / Général BIARD]. General Biard’s signature in brown ink is also present.
The oversized, gilt style square frame (b) is solidly constructed of wood and features deeply engraved leaf motifs.
Place printed
Paris, France, Europe
Title
Framed certificate of Legion of Honor awarded to General Colin L. Powell
Topic
African American
Government
International affairs
Men
Military
Politics
U.S. History, 1969-2001
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification
Awards, Medals, and Insignia
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
A2022.101.1.20ab
Type
frames (furnishings)
certificates
Restrictions & Rights
Unknown – Restrictions Possible
Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Medium
(a) ink on paper (fiber product)
(b) wood, glass and metal
Dimensions
H x W x D (framed): 22 1/16 × 26 9/16 × 3 1/2 in. (56.1 × 67.5 × 8.9 cm)
Title
Title • Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur
Record ID
nmaahc_A2022.101.1.20ab
Museum
NMAAHC
Title Sort
ORDRE NATIONAL DE LA LÉGION D'HONNEUR
Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Metadata Usage
CC0
Date
1990s
Name
Powell, Colin L. • Grand Chancery of the Legion of Honor
Place
Europe • France • Paris
Topic
Government • Politics • U.S. History, 1969-2001 • International affairs • Military
Culture
African Americans
Geo Location
City • Paris • Country • France • Continent • Europe
Type
Frames • Certificates
Online Media Type
Images
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.

NMAAHC

Voulez-vous de la Canne à Sucre?

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NMAAHC

Carte-de-visite of a man riding a burro in Lima, Peru

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NMAAHC

Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur

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Lobby card for The Flying Ace

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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 became the first Black woman to travel into space?

Mae Jemison, aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992.