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THE JOURNEY THROUGH TIME

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

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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

Darkwater: Voices from within the Veil

Date
1920
Description
A first edition copy of Darkwater: Voices from within the Veil by W.E.B. Du Bois. The front and back covers of the book are covered in navy fabric. The title is engraved in light blue text that reads: [DARKWATER / W.E.B. DU BOIS]. Underneath the title, near the center of the cover, is a small light blue design. The spine has horizontal light blue text that reads [DARK / WATER / DU BOIS] at the top and [HARCOURT / BRACE / AND HOWE] at the bottom. Above the author’s name is a light blue diamond design. The interior of the book has black type on white pages. The content of the book includes autobiographical information, essays, poems, and spirituals written by Du Bois. The book has two hundred and seventy-six (276) pages. The front endpaper, front free endpapers, title page, and copyright page have pencil inscriptions.
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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification
Books and Published Materials
Exhibition
Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures
On View
NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 2, C 2053
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
2019.22.9
Type
hardcover books
Restrictions & Rights
Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Medium
ink on paper (fiber product) with book cloth (textile material) and cardboard
Dimensions
H x W x D: 7 5/8 × 5 3/16 × 1 5/16 in. (19.3 × 13.2 × 3.3 cm)
Title
Title • Darkwater: Voices from within the Veil
Record ID
nmaahc_2019.22.9
Museum
NMAAHC
Title Sort
DARKWATER: VOICES FROM WITHIN THE VEIL
Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Metadata Usage
CC0
Date
1920s
Exhibition
NMAAHC • Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures
Geo Location
City • New York City • State • New York • 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.

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NMAAHC

The Darktown Fire Brigade - Hook and Ladder Gymnastics: Brace her up dar! and cotch her on de fly!

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NMAAHC

Darkwater: Voices from within the Veil

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Description

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NMAAHC

Darkwater

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NMAAHC

Singer treadle sewing machine cabinet table from the Rock Rest Tourist Home

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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.