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THE JOURNEY THROUGH TIME

Explore Black History

Explore the people, places, events, achievements, struggles and stories that shaped our journey.

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Civil Rights

Movements, leaders, victories and the continuing fight for equality.

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Places

Black towns, communities, institutions and places where history happened.

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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

Wagon from America’s Promise Alliance owned by General Colin L. Powell

Date
ca. 1997-2021
Caption
America's Promise Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to uplifting at-risk youth via a cross-sector association of community organizations, businesses, and government organizations. Originating during the Presidential Summit of 1997, General Colin L. Powell, led the initial three-year campaign before converting the effort to a nonprofit and serving as its founding chairman. The organization is founded on the premise that there are five ingredients key to children’s development: responsible, caring adults in their lives; safe places to learn and grow; healthy starts in life; a marketable skill; and an opportunity to serve their community. The red wagon seen here is symbolic of America's Promise, with General Powell saying, “‘The little red wagon. A symbol of childhood. It could be filled with a child's hopes and dreams or weighed down with their burdens. Millions of American Children need our help to pull that wagon along. Let's all pull together.’”
Description
An America's Promise wagon owned by General Colin L. Powell, founding chairman of America’s Promise Alliance. The child's red steel wagon has an all-red bed and undercarriage, long black handle, and four rubber black-and-white tires with red bearing covers. The wagon has the words "AMERICA’S PROMISE" painted in white on its side.
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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification
Toys and Games
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
A2022.101.1.41
Type
wagons
Restrictions & Rights
No known copyright restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Medium
steel with paint and rubber
Dimensions
H x W x D: 38 9/16 × 17 3/8 × 4 1/16 in. (98 × 44.1 × 10.3 cm)
Title
Object Name • Wagon from America’s Promise Alliance owned by General Colin L. Powell
Record ID
nmaahc_A2022.101.1.41
Museum
NMAAHC
Title Sort
WAGON FROM AMERICA’S PROMISE ALLIANCE OWNED BY GENERAL COLIN L. POWELL
Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Metadata Usage
CC0
Date
2000s • 1990s
Type
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

Wagon from America’s Promise Alliance owned by General Colin L. Powell

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NMAAHC

Photograph of Nina Simone, Michael Pollard, and Janis Joplin

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NMAAHC

Pinback button for the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression

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NMAAHC

Souvenir Program: Bethel Baptist Institutional Church Brotherhood Alliance

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

What prosperous Tulsa district became widely known as “Black Wall Street”?

The Greenwood District.