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

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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...

Katherine Johnson — Mathematics to the Moon

Katherine Johnson’s mathematical calculations helped guide some of America’s most important early space missions while she confronted the racial and gender barriers faced by Black women in twentieth-century America.

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

Brick from Virginia-Cleveland Hall at Hampton University

Date
ca. 1874
Manufactured by
Caption
Brick from Virginia-Cleveland Hall, Hampton University, 1874
Hampton University is one of the first historically black universities. Located in Hampton, Virginia, it was founded in 1868 as the Hampton Agricultural and Industrial School by the American Missionary Association. By 1874, the college was successful enough to build Virginia-Cleveland Hall, an impressive structure that housed classrooms, a chapel, administration offices, and dormitories. Students help fund the Hall through ticket sales from the student choral group, the Hampton Singers.
Source: Nancy Bercaw, Curator, Slavery and Freedom
Description
A brick from Virginia-Cleveland Hall at Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute. The brick is rectangular in shape and is tan in color with darker grey areas throughout. The brick is cracked in several places and is pitted.
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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification
Slavery and Freedom Objects
Buildings and Structures
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, a gift from Hampton University
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2015.228
Type
blocks (shaped masses)
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Medium
clay
Dimensions
H x W x D: 2 1/2 × 8 5/8 × 4 1/8 in. (6.4 × 21.9 × 10.5 cm)
Title
Object Name • Brick from Virginia-Cleveland Hall at Hampton University
Record ID
nmaahc_2015.228
Museum
NMAAHC
Title Sort
BRICK FROM VIRGINIA-CLEVELAND HALL AT HAMPTON UNIVERSITY
Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Metadata Usage
CC0
Date
1860s • 1870s
Exhibition
NMAAHC • Slavery and Freedom
Geo Location
City • Hampton • State • Virginia • 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

Brick from Virginia-Cleveland Hall at Hampton University

Date: Date

Caption

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NMAAHC

Program for "Slave Songs of the South" by the Hampton Colored Students

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

The Hampton Student Vol. XI No. 3

Date: Date

Description

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No preview image
NMAAHC

Catalogue of the Hampton Institute. 1886-87.

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.