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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

Commission signed by Pinckney Pinchback as acting governor of Louisiana

Date
December 26, 1872
Written by
Pinckney Benton Stewart Pinchback, American, 1837 - 1921
Description
A commission certificate signed by Pinckney Pinchback as acting governor of Louisiana, authorizing C. Morgan to serve as recorder for the parish of Pointe Coupée. The commission reads in black print, from top to bottom: [THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. / STATE OF LOUISIANA. / BY PINCKNEY B. S. PINCHBACK. / LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, ACTING GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA. / In the Name and by the Authority of the State of Louisiana: / Know ye, That whereas at a General Election, held on the Fourth day of November, 1872, in / conformity with law C. Morgan / WAS DELCARED DULY ELECTED / Recorder in and for the Parish of Point Coupée / Now, Therefore, I do authorize and empower him to execute and fulfill the duties of said office / according to law, and to have and to hold the same, with all the powers, privileges, and emoluments appertaining / by right thereto, during the term of said office, as fixed by law. / In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed my signature and caused the seal of the State to be attached, / at the city of New Orleans, this twenty sixth day of December in the year / of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy two and in the year of the independence of the United / States of America the ninety seventh / By the Acting Governor: [signed] P. B. Pinchback]. Also signed by the assistant Secretary of State. There is a round red State of Louisiana apostille attached to the bottom left of the commission and no markings on the reverse.
Transcription Center Status
Transcribed by digital volunteers
Place made
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, North and Central America
Topic
African American
Government
Law
Politics
Reconstruction, U.S. History, 1865-1877
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
2020.26.44
Type
documents
commissions
Restrictions & Rights
Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Medium
ink on wove paper
Dimensions
H x W: 14 × 17 1/8 in. (35.5 × 43.5 cm)
Title
Object Name • Commission signed by Pinckney Pinchback as acting governor of Louisiana
Record ID
nmaahc_2020.26.44
Museum
NMAAHC
Title Sort
COMMISSION SIGNED BY PINCKNEY PINCHBACK AS ACTING GOVERNOR OF LOUISIANA
Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Metadata Usage
CC0
Date
1870s
Name
Pinchback, Pinckney Benton Stewart
Place
United States • North and Central America • Louisiana • New Orleans
Topic
Law • Government • Politics • Reconstruction, U.S. History, 1865-1877
Culture
African Americans
Geo Location
City • New Orleans • State • Louisiana • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America
Type
commissions • Documents
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

Commission signed by Pinckney Pinchback as acting governor of Louisiana

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NMAAHC

Ellen Stewart

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NMAAHC

Photograph of Eva Stewart Northrup in front of Harriet Tubman's house

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NMAAHC

Photograph of Ivie Anderson, Rex Stewart, Harry Carney, and Hayes Alvis

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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 heavyweight champion was known as the “Brown Bomber”?

Joe Louis.