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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

Pocket watch likely carried by Matthew Henson in 1908-1909 Arctic expedition

Date
1888-1889; inscribed 1908 or 1909
Manufactured by
American Watch Company, American, 1850 - 1957
Used by
Matthew A. Henson, American, 1866 - 1955
Subject of
Matthew A. Henson, American, 1866 - 1955
Robert E. Peary, American, 1856 - 1920
Caption
An engraved watch that is believed to be the watch carried by Matthew Henson (1866-1955) on his exploration of the North Pole along with Adm. Robert E. Peary from July 6, 1908 to April 23, 1909. Henson is an iconic figure among American pioneering explorers. During the 1908-09 expedition led by Admiral Peary (whom he assisted on several Arctic expeditions over a 20-year period), Henson became the first man to reach the North Pole. For his achievements, Congress awarded Henson the Peary Polar Expedition Medal in 1944. In 2000, the National Geographic Society awarded Henson the Hubbard Metal – its highest award.
Description
This pocket watch belonged to Matthew Henson and is engraved with his initials. The watch is silver in color and the words [R.E. PEARY / NORTH POLE / EXPEDITION / 1908] are engraved on the front in an Edwardian style. Henson's initials [M.A. HENSON] are engraved on the side. The watch has a white face with black hands and roman numerals. The watchmaker's name [Am. Watch Co. / WALTHAM] is printed in the top center of the face. The inside of the watch is engraved with the watchmaker's name [American Waltham Watch Co.] and the serial number [3639616].
Place used
North Pole, Arctic
Cape Morris Jesup, Greenland, Denmark, North and Central America
Place made
Waltham, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, North and Central America
Topic
African American
Men
Nature
Science
Technology
U.S. History, 1865-1921
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification
Accessories and Personal Effects
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
2017.31
Type
pocket watches
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Medium
nickel , metal and glass
Dimensions
H x W x D: 3 1/4 × 2 1/4 × 3/4 in. (8.3 × 5.7 × 1.9 cm)
Title
Object Name • Pocket watch likely carried by Matthew Henson in 1908-1909 Arctic expedition
Record ID
nmaahc_2017.31
Museum
NMAAHC
Title Sort
POCKET WATCH LIKELY CARRIED BY MATTHEW HENSON IN 1908-1909 ARCTIC EXPEDITION
Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Metadata Usage
CC0
Date
1900s • 1880s
Name
Henson, Matthew A. • Peary, Robert E. • American Watch Company
Place
North Pole • United States • North and Central America • Massachusetts • Denmark • Cape Morris Jesup • Arctic • Middlesex County • Greenland • Waltham
Topic
Nature • U.S. History, 1865-1921 • Technology • Men • Science
Culture
African Americans
Geo Location
Locale • North Pole • Region • Arctic • Locale • Cape Morris Jesup • Country • Greenland • Nation • Denmark • Continent • North and Central America • City • Waltham • County • Middlesex County • State • Massachusetts • Country • United States
Type
pocket watches
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

Rabbi and Founder Wentworth Arthur Matthew with Torah Scroll

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Writ of execution to collect damages issued by Wentworth Cheswill

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Pocket watch likely carried by Matthew Henson in 1908-1909 Arctic expedition

Date: Date

Caption

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NMAAHC

Photograph of David Matthew Doré's Bar Mitzvah ceremony

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 Supreme Court case ruled state-sponsored public-school segregation unconstitutional?

Brown v. Board of Education in 1954.