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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

Team USA Olympic uniform singlet worn by Tommie Smith

Date
1968
Manufactured by
Wilson Sporting Goods Co., American, founded 1914
Worn by
Tommie Smith, American, born 1944
Caption
The raised fists of John Carlos and Tommie Smith at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics remains one of the most enduring symbols of resistance in American history. On October 16, 1968, Tommie Smith won gold in the 200-meter sprint while wearing this Team USA uniform. On the podium, Australian silver medalist Peter Norman wore a badge for the Olympic Project for Human Rights in support of Smith and bronze medal winner John Carlos as they staged one of the most iconic and important protests against racial discrimination. Shoeless, each with a black glove on one hand, and their Olympic medals around their neck, Smith and Carlos faced the American flag and raised their gloved fists in a salute symbolizing power and unity. Their black socks stressed the poverty plaguing Black America, and their bowed heads represented their prayers for Black Americans. The silent protest was an expression of solidarity with oppressed peoples around the globe.
Description
This navy blue singlet was worn by Tommie Smith while competing in events representing Team USA at the 1968 Olympic Games. The sleeveless scoop neck jersey is made from navy blue synthetic fiber. Red fabric letters outlined in white fabric reading "U S A" are embroidered to the jersey across the chest. Beneath the letters is a large rectangular white fabric label with black printed text reading "307 / JUEGOS DE LA XIX OLIMPIADA MEXICO 68". A label of similar size with the same text is sewn across the back of the jersey below the shoulder blades. A manufacturer's label For Wilson is sewn to the exterior proper left side just above the hem that also contains care and size information. The inside of the jersey is not lined. A band of cream cotton fabric is sewn to the interior back across the shoulders.
Place used
Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico, Latin America, North and Central America
Topic
African American
Activism
Black power
Civil Rights
Clothing and dress
Men
Olympics
Sports
Track and field
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification
Clothing - Sports Uniforms
Movement
Civil Rights Movement
Black Power (Black Pride)
Exhibition
Sports: Leveling the Playing Field
On View
NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 052
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2015.231.1.1
Type
shirts
sports uniforms
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Medium
synthetic fiber
Dimensions
H x W x D (On form): 31 1/2 × 13 1/2 × 10 in. (80 × 34.3 × 25.4 cm)
Title
Object Name • Team USA Olympic uniform singlet worn by Tommie Smith
Record ID
nmaahc_2015.231.1.1
Museum
NMAAHC
Title Sort
TEAM USA OLYMPIC UNIFORM SINGLET WORN BY TOMMIE SMITH
Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Metadata Usage
CC0
Date
1960s
Name
Wilson Sporting Goods Co. • Smith, Tommie
Place
North and Central America • Distrito Federal • Mexico City • Latin America
Topic
Activism • Track and field • Olympics • Clothing and dress • Men • Civil Rights • Civil rights • Black Power (Black Pride) • Black power • Sports
Culture
African Americans
Exhibition
NMAAHC • Sports: Leveling the Playing Field
Geo Location
City • Mexico City • State • Distrito Federal • Country • Mexico • Region • Latin America • Continent • North and Central America
Type
Shirts • sports uniforms
On Physical Exhibit
Yes
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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NMAAHC

Playbill for The Who’s Tommy

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Crash helmet worn by Tommy Thompson

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Team USA Olympic uniform singlet worn by Tommie Smith

Date: Date

Caption

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NMAAHC

Team USA Olympic uniform shorts worn by Tommie Smith

Date: Date

Caption

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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

What prosperous Tulsa district became widely known as “Black Wall Street”?

The Greenwood District.