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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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THE JOURNEY THROUGH TIME
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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...

The Violence That Helped Spark the NAACP

In August 1908, a white mob attacked Springfield, Illinois’s Black community, destroying homes and businesses and lynching two Black men. National outrage over the violence helped spur the movement that created the NAACP the following year.

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BHP gathered finds from its connected research sources. Showing the 4 strongest Black History matches.
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NMAAHC

Letter to Reverend David Selden from his son David Selden

Date
March 5, 1808
Received by
Rev. David Selden, American, 1761 - 1825
Written by
David Selden, American, born 1785
Description
This letter was written from Charleston, South Carolina, on March 5, 1808, by David Selden to his parents in Chatham, Connecticut. Selden lists several cities he has recently traveled to including New York and Philadelphia, with future destinations including Georgetown and Georgia. After describing the weather and spring blossoms of Charleston, Selden writes, "I cannot but reflect on the awfull sight to be seen at a place called Gadsdens wharf of about four thousand poor africans naked/in a manner/ and lousy[.] The most distressing sight I ever beheld offered for sale every day at Auction to him who will give the most." The letter is posted specifically to his father Reverend David Selden of Chatham, Connecticut, but the salutation reads "Dear parents".
Transcription Center Status
Transcribed by digital volunteers
Place made
Charleston, South Carolina, United States, North and Central America
Place used
Chatham, East Hampton, Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States, North and Central America
Topic
African American
Africa
American South
Commerce
Correspondence
Middle Passage
Slavery
Trans-Atlantic slave trade
U.S. History, 1783-1815
Urban life
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification
Slavery and Freedom Objects
Documents and Manuscripts
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
2014.174.2
Type
letters (correspondence)
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Medium
ink on paper
Dimensions
H x W (folded): 9 15/16 × 7 7/8 in. (25.2 × 20 cm)
H x W (unfolded): 9 15/16 × 15 5/8 in. (25.2 × 39.7 cm)
Title
Object Name • Letter to Reverend David Selden from his son David Selden
Record ID
nmaahc_2014.174.2
Museum
NMAAHC
Title Sort
LETTER TO REVEREND DAVID SELDEN FROM HIS SON DAVID SELDEN
Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Metadata Usage
CC0
Date
1800s
Name
Selden, David
Place
Charleston • United States • North and Central America • Connecticut • Chatham • Middlesex County • South Carolina • East Hampton
Topic
Slavery • Middle Passage • American South • Trans-Atlantic slave trade • Correspondence • Urban life • Business • U.S. History, 1783-1815
Culture
African Americans
Geo Location
City • Charleston • State • South Carolina • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America • Locale • Chatham • City • East Hampton • County • Middlesex County • State • Connecticut
Type
Correspondence
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

Letter to Reverend David Selden from his son David Selden

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Letter to David Baldwin from James Baldwin

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Description

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NMAAHC

Letter to David Baldwin from James Baldwin

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NMAAHC

Postcard to David Baldwin from James Baldwin

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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

Who was the first African-American woman millionaire in the United States?

Madam C.J. Walker