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Black History Portal
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HIDDEN TRUTHS
GREENWOOD / BLACK WALL STREET WILMINGTON 1898 LITTLE ROCK NINE TUSKEGEE STUDY ROSEWOOD 1923 THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN SENECA VILLAGE BLACK TOWNS GREENWOOD / BLACK WALL STREET WILMINGTON 1898 LITTLE ROCK NINE TUSKEGEE STUDY ROSEWOOD 1923 THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN SENECA VILLAGE BLACK TOWNS
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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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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

Black derby hat

Date
1940s - 1960s
Created by
The United Hatters of North American, American, 1896 - 1995
Subject of
Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
Description
A men’s black derby hat made from stiff black wool felt that has been blocked to shape. The slightly upturned hat brim extends 2” at the center front and 1.75” at the center back. A black 7/8” grosgrain ribbon is stitched along the base of the hat and is secured with a 4.25” black bow that has been handstitched to the proper left side. A brown 2” wide leather band is sewn along the inner crown and is joined at the center back. The band is adhesive-backed and has an embossed at the proper left side with a maker label and around the upper edge with a border detail. A faux fur tassel is attached to the center back inner band with tacking stitches. The hat is lined with two pieces of cream-colored synthetic lining material – one piece for the crown and one piece for the hat sides. The center back seam of the lining is folded and tucked, instead of sewn. A label is embossed on the leather inner band that reads [STYLES DISTINTIVE / QUALITY / SUPREME / FOR FINE TRADE]. A label printed into the interior crown lining reads [STYLES DISTINTIVE / QUALITY / SUPREME / FOR FINE TRADE] within a shield symbol. A black paper tag attached behind the inner band with adhesive reads [7/8].
Cataloging Notes
This project received Federal support from the Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative Pool, administered by the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum.
Topic
African American
Clothing and dress
Fashion
Millinery
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title
Black Fashion Museum Collection
Classification
Clothing - Fashion and Historical
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2007.3.527
Type
derbies (hats)
hats
Restrictions & Rights
No known copyright restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Medium
wool felt, leather, synthetic silk grosgrain ribbon, synthetic plain weave lining (possibly rayon) synthetic yarn (possibly acrylic), nylon cording, metal wire, metallic paint, and adhesive
Dimensions
H x W x D: 5 1/2 × 9 3/4 × 12 1/4 × 22 1/2 in. (14 × 24.8 × 31.1 × 57.2 cm)
Title
Object Name • Black derby hat
Record ID
nmaahc_2007.3.527
Museum
NMAAHC
Title Sort
BLACK DERBY HAT
Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Metadata Usage
CC0
Date
1940s • 1960s
Name
The United Hatters of North American • Black Fashion Museum
Topic
Millinery • Clothing and dress • Fashion
Culture
African Americans
Type
Hats
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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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.