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THE JOURNEY THROUGH TIME

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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...

Wilmington 1898 — An American Coup

Wilmington, North Carolina once had a thriving Black middle class and an elected interracial government. In 1898 white supremacists used violence to overthrow that government, kill Black residents and drive many others from the city.

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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 envelope style handbag with lace up detail

Date
mid 20th century
Description
A black envelope-style handbag with lace up detail once owned by Precola Devore-Parks. The front flap is made from one panel of black microsuede with a front lace up detail made from three strips of .25” wide black faux leather. The faux leather strips have been inserted into three sets of two grommeted holes that lead to the interior of the flap. The top strip is attached to a 3.5” wide navy faux bow. At the bottom third of the flap, is a narrow panel of black patent leather that curves downward towards the center front, covering the hidden snap closure. The snap closure is made from an ovoid shaped piece of gold-colored metal. Attached to the top of the purse with gold colored hardware is a 13” long strap made from black patent leather.
The bottom of the bag has curved edges, and the bottom and side panels are made from black faux patent leather that’s been pleated accordion-style to allow for expansion. One panel of black faux patent leather creates the back of the bag and there is a stiff inner layer (possibly cardboard) sandwiched between the inner lining and outer layer. Black synthetic faille lines the inside of the purse and there are two interior synthetic faille pockets. At the interior front is a 7” wide open pocket with gold vinyl piping along the top edge and at the back is a 7” wide gold-colored metal zip pocket that has an metal O-ring pull. [PALIZZIO] is stamped in gold metallic ink on the front of the zip pocket.
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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
2007.3.135
Type
purses (bags)
bags (costume accessories)
handbags
Restrictions & Rights
Unknown - Restrictions Possible
Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Medium
vinyl, synthetic suede, synthetic faille, cardboard, metal, and adhesive
Dimensions
H x W x D: 9 3/4 × 10 1/4 × 1 7/8 in. (24.8 × 26 × 4.8 cm)
Title
Object Name • Black envelope style handbag with lace up detail
Record ID
nmaahc_2007.3.135
Museum
NMAAHC
Title Sort
BLACK ENVELOPE STYLE HANDBAG WITH LACE UP DETAIL
Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Metadata Usage
CC0
Date
1940s • 1990s
Online Media Type
Images
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.

NMAAHC

Black faille handbag with decorative gold clasp

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Black raffia handbag with internal clasp

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Description

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NMAAHC

Black envelope style handbag with lace up detail

Date: Date

Description

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No preview image
NMAAHC

Black velvet handbag with embroidered

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 Black woman became the first elected to the United States Congress?

Shirley Chisholm, elected in 1968.