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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...

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

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Date
ca. 1979
Printed by
Description
A small printed poster on heavy paper with black and white photographic portraits of the founders of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. The portraits encircle the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity crest and the poster is framed with a red floral border. The text at the top of poster reads [Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. / (Founded, January 5, 1911)]. There are 10 bust portraits of the men (four in top row, two in middle row, and four in bottom row), all in suits and ties, with their names and life dates below in black type. The top row of photographic captions reads: [Edward G. Irvin / 1893-], [Dr. Byron Kenneth Armstrong / 1890-], [Elder Watson Diggs / 1890-1947], and [Dr. Guy Levis Grant / 1891-1973]. The middle row of photographic captions reads: [Dr. Ezra D. Alexander / 1892-1971] and [Dr. Marcus Peter Blakemore / 1889-1959]. The bottom row of photographic captions reads: [Paul W. Caine / 1891-1922], [Atty. Henry T. Asher / 1890-1963], [John Milton Lee / 1890-1958], and [George Edmunds [sic] / 1890-1962]. An illustration of the fraternity's shield is featured center in red ink. The crest depicts a knight’s helmet with visor above a heraldic shaped shield divided into four sections. The top section has three stars above a wreath with a center bow and a single Greek work. The bottom, left section of the shield depicts two hands clasping. The bottom, center section depicts a scroll with the three Greek letters printed vertically. The bottom, right section depicts an arm holding a bolt. Below the shield, is a banner with Greek text written across the center. Below the crest is the text, [The Founders] written in black. The illustration is entirely by a red solid line. There is an inscription, [GINO], handwritten in red ink in top right hand corner.
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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification
Memorabilia and Ephemera - Other
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Taalib Abdullah Al 'Ali (Terance Turner)
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2014.127.2
Type
posters
Restrictions & Rights
Unknown – Restrictions Possible
Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Medium
ink on paper
Dimensions
H x W: 11 1/16 × 8 1/2 in. (28.1 × 21.6 cm)
Title
Title • Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Record ID
nmaahc_2014.127.2
Museum
NMAAHC
Title Sort
KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY, INC.
Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Metadata Usage
CC0
Date
1980s • 1970s
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.

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NMAAHC

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

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NMAAHC

Black wool hat with brass rings

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NMAAHC

Black wool cloche

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NMAAHC

Orange pillbox with two bows and veil

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 Supreme Court case ruled state-sponsored public-school segregation unconstitutional?

Brown v. Board of Education in 1954.