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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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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...

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 8 strongest Black History matches.
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NMAAHC

Outfit worn by Carlotta Walls to Little Rock Central High School

Date
1957
Created by
Sportswear by Sheinberg
Worn by
Carlotta Walls LaNier, American, born 1942
Subject of
Little Rock Central High School, American, founded 1927
Caption
Carlotta Walls LaNier was the youngest of the nine students to desegregate Little Rock Central High School in September, 1957. She wore this matching skirt and blouse to the first day of school, which was also the first day she was turned away.
Description
This outfit was worn by Carlotta Walls LaNier during the "Little Rock Crisis" of 1957 at Little Rock Central High School. The outfit consists of a skirt and blouse in a matching alphabetical print of blue, teal, and white on a black background. The blouse fastens with small black buttons, has a pointed collar and short sleeves that tie into bows at the cuffs. The skirt is full and has several pleats at the waist.
Place used
Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas, United States, North and Central America
Topic
African American
Civil Rights
Clothing and dress
Education
Race relations
Segregation
U.S. History, 1953-1961
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification
Clothing - Fashion and Historical
Movement
Civil Rights Movement
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Carlotta Walls LaNier
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2012.117.1ab
Type
shirts
skirts
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Medium
cotton with plastic buttons
Dimensions
H x W (top): 22 3/4 x 23 1/2 in. (57.8 x 59.7 cm)
H x W (skirt): 27 x 41 in. (68.6 x 104.1 cm)
Title
Object Name • Outfit worn by Carlotta Walls to Little Rock Central High School
Record ID
nmaahc_2012.117.1ab
Museum
NMAAHC
Title Sort
OUTFIT WORN BY CARLOTTA WALLS TO LITTLE ROCK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL
Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Metadata Usage
CC0
Date
1950s
Name
LaNier, Carlotta Walls • Sportswear by Sheinberg • Little Rock Central High School
Place
United States • North and Central America • Little Rock • Arkansas • Pulaski County
Topic
Education • Segregation • Clothing and dress • Civil Rights • Civil rights • U.S. History, 1953-1961 • Race relations
Culture
African Americans
Geo Location
City • Little Rock • County • Pulaski County • State • Arkansas • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America
Type
Shirts • Skirts (garments)
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.

National Archives

Nine From Little Rock

Date: 51380

This film features the nine black students who integrated Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957, and describes the individual achievements of these students during the seven years that followed. The program also indicates, through specific cases, the progress of racial integration in the United States. The film received the 1965 Academy Award for Best Documentary (Short Subject). Directed by Charles Guggenheim and produced by Shelby Storck (Guggenheim Productions).

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National Archives

Telegram from Parents of the Little Rock Nine to President Dwight D. Eisenhower

Date: 17368589
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No preview image
NMAAHC

Photograph of seven of the Little Rock Nine meeting at the home of Daisy Bates

Date: Date

Description

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No preview image
NMAAHC

The Little Rock Nine

Date: Date

Description

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National Archives

Central High, Little Rock

Date: 55034242
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National Archives

Little Rock Central H.S. 11/6/98

Date: 20761036
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NMAAHC

Outfit worn by Carlotta Walls to Little Rock Central High School

Date: Date

Caption

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NMAAHC

Report card for Carlotta Walls from Little Rock Central High School

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

Who became the first Black woman to travel into space?

Mae Jemison, aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992.