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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

Carved wooden walking cane owned by Sen. W. Nash

Date
late 19th century
Created by
Description
A carved wooden walking cane owned by Sen. W.B. Nash. The length of the cane is cylindrical at the bottom but squared off about halfway up. The cane has been incised over much of its surface with geometric and animal decorations, including diamonds, fish, snake and lizard. [19 11] is carved on the outward facing side of the cane. Near the head of the cane is a carved chamber with four curved posts inside which rolls a loose wooden ball. The top of the cane is curved, pale and very smooth from use. At the handle of the cane handle is another incised section, a geometric design or possibly letters. There is a black rubber piece, not original, adhered to the foot of the cane.
Cultural Place
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification
Slavery and Freedom Objects
Accessories and Personal Effects
Exhibition
Slavery and Freedom
On View
NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 3, C3 053
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Family of William Beverly Nash
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2013.168.2
Type
canes
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Medium
pigment on wood
Dimensions
34 1/8 × 4 3/4 × 1 1/8 in. (86.7 × 12.1 × 2.9 cm)
Title
Object Name • Carved wooden walking cane owned by Sen. W. Nash
Record ID
nmaahc_2013.168.2
Museum
NMAAHC
Title Sort
CARVED WOODEN WALKING CANE OWNED BY SEN. W. NASH
Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Metadata Usage
CC0
Date
1880s • 1870s
Exhibition
NMAAHC • Slavery and Freedom
Geo Location
City • Columbia • County • Richland County • State • South Carolina • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America • Region • West Africa • Continent • Africa
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

Diane Nash, SCLC Convention

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Bob Moses, Diane Nash, and Reverend James Lawson

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Pinback button featuring a campaign portrait of Senator William B. Nash

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Carved wooden walking cane owned by Sen. W. Nash

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.