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Black History Portal
THE BHP WIRE —
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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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 floral brocade handbag

Date
1950s - 1980s
Created by
Unidentified
Subject of
Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
Description
A large, rectangular black brocade handbag with an allover floral motif. The body of the handbag is made from one continuous panel of fabric for the front and back. The fabric features a black brocade ground, with yellow, red, and green floral motifs made from synthetic two-ply yarns. Both the front and back of the purse sides are backed with a layer of stiffener (likely carboard). A black handle, made from two layers of synthetic leather are machine sewn together and attached to the top of the handbag with metal brass hardware. The purse closes with a hinged frame, (likely metal) that is covered in a thin layer of black synthetic leather. A central brass metal closure at top center of the frame, latches the purse closed. A single panel of black synthetic decorative leather is machine stitched to the top front of the handbag, under the frame. Both side gussets are made from one panel of black brocade floral fabric. The interior of the purse is lined with black synthetic faille and the construction of the lining mirrors that of the outside of the purse. There is a plain pocket made from one panel of synthetic silk faille machine stitched to the interior front. A 2-in-1 pocket made from one panel of the same material is machine stitched to the back and features a metal zipper and teeth. The zipper pull reads TRIO on the front and back. There is no brand label.
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
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
2007.3.676
Type
purses (bags)
handbags
Restrictions & Rights
No known copyright restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Medium
synthetic velvet, yarn, synthetic leather, synthetic faille, cardboard, and metal
Dimensions
H x W x D: 14 1/2 × 14 × 3 in. (36.8 × 35.6 × 7.6 cm)
Title
Object Name • Black floral brocade handbag
Record ID
nmaahc_2007.3.676
Museum
NMAAHC
Title Sort
BLACK FLORAL BROCADE HANDBAG
Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Metadata Usage
CC0
Date
1950s • 1980s
Name
Black Fashion Museum
Topic
Clothing and dress • Fashion
Culture
African Americans
Type
Purses (bags)
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.

NMAAHC

Black faux fur handbag with gold hardware

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NMAAHC

Black floral brocade handbag

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NMAAHC

Black raffia handbag with internal clasp

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NMAAHC

Black faille handbag with decorative gold clasp

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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 heavyweight champion was known as the “Brown Bomber”?

Joe Louis.