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THE JOURNEY THROUGH TIME

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Explore the people, places, events, achievements, struggles and stories that shaped our journey.

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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...

Ruler of the Mali Empire in the 14th century

Mansa Musa was the ruler of the Mali Empire in West Africa. Details recorded here should be sourced; unknown information is left blank.

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BHP gathered finds from its connected research sources. Showing the 3 strongest Black History matches.
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NMAAHC

GAR Memorial Certification of Honorable Discharge for Charles Davis

Date
May 15, 1900
Description
Large scale full color lithograph of a Grand Army of the Republic memorial certification of Honorable Discharge for Charles Davis, company C, 3rd Regt. USCT Volunteer Infantry. At the center, the details of Charles Davis and his military service has been added by hand in ink. The chromolithographic image is topped by a bald eagle flanked by two US flags along with the military scenes both on land and at sea along the sides of the certificate. The lower half contains a portrait image of President Abraham Lincoln at center, a cavalry soldier at left, an infantry soldier at right, and a battle scenes at either side. At the middle of the lithograph it is handwritten that Davis served in the Battles of Fort Wagner, Olustee, FL and Baldwin, FL where he was wounded in the left leg but did not go to the hospital. He was then placed on detached duty at the hospital and was discharged in Jacksonville, FL October 31, 1865. He also belonged to the Maj. James McKorknen Post no. 412, Delta Dept. of PA. At the bottom it is written in pen, "Presented by Comerade Davis to his wife Margaret A., and children, Ruth, M.E., and Thomas J., May 15, 1900". On the bottom it is printed, "Published expressly for the Army and Navy Record Company/ Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1899 by the Pettibone Brothers MFG. Company in the Office of Librarian of Congress at Washington". The certificate is in a white mat frame with a decorative scroll border.
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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification
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
2011.155.282
Type
chromolithographs
certificates
Restrictions & Rights
Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Medium
lithographic ink on paper
Dimensions
31 1/2 x 25 1/2 x 1 1/2 in. (80 x 64.8 x 3.8 cm)
Title
Object Name • GAR Memorial Certification of Honorable Discharge for Charles Davis
Record ID
nmaahc_2011.155.282
Museum
NMAAHC
Title Sort
GAR MEMORIAL CERTIFICATION OF HONORABLE DISCHARGE FOR CHARLES DAVIS
Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Metadata Usage
CC0
Date
1900s
Geo Location
County • Lancaster County • State • Pennsylvania • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America
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

Silver badge for George Washington Perkins of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Silver badge for Alexander Hill of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry

Date: Date

Caption

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NMAAHC

GAR Memorial Certification of Honorable Discharge for Charles Davis

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

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

The Greenwood District.