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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
BHP HOME BEFORE AMERICA 1800–1936 1937–1957 1958–1980 1981–2000 2001–PRESENT

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

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Movements, leaders, victories and the continuing fight for equality.

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Meet the people whose lives, choices and achievements shaped the 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 4 strongest Black History matches.
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NMAAHC

Letter from and photomechanical print of Rev. John B. Randolph

Date
May 24, 1905
Written by
Rev. John B. Randolph
Printed by
Unidentified
Subject of
Rev. John B. Randolph
Description
A letter from Rev. John B. Randolph (.1) and a photomechanical print of a photograph of Randolph (.2). The letter is written on pre-printed letterhead that features a design along the top third of the page with the text "EVERLASTING AND EVER AT IT WILL BRING SUCCESS / TO ALL HONEST ENDEAVORS" above three (3) black-and-white prints of photographs featuring the exterior of the Metropolitan Baptist Church, the pastor, and the church's pipe organ. The photo prints are inside printed borders with ornate scrollwork designs around them. The letter has been pre-printed just below the photos with "PHILADELPHIA, PA. ........ 190...." with text written by Randolph regarding delinquent taxes on a property. A reply has been written in the lower left corner that the tax payments for the property are up to date. The reverse is blank.
15.2 A photomechanical print of a photograph of Rev. John B. Randolph, the same one featured at the center of the letterhead of .1. He stands in front of a forest backdrop and wears a shirt with rolled cuffs. He has a felt hat and holds a shovel in front of him. The reverse is blank.
Place depicted
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America
Topic
African American
Baptist
Correspondence
Finance
Religion
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification
Memorabilia and Ephemera - Other
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
2014.63.102.15.1-.2
Type
photomechanical prints
letters (correspondence)
Restrictions & Rights
Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Medium
ink on paper
Dimensions
H x W (2014.63.102.15.1): 10 15/16 × 8 7/16 in. (27.8 × 21.5 cm)
H x W (2014.63.102.15.2): 5 15/16 × 3 1/4 in. (15.1 × 8.2 cm)
Title
Object Name • Letter from and photomechanical print of Rev. John B. Randolph
Record ID
nmaahc_2014.63.102.15.1-.2
Museum
NMAAHC
Title Sort
LETTER FROM AND PHOTOMECHANICAL PRINT OF REV. JOHN B. RANDOLPH
Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Metadata Usage
CC0
Date
1900s
Name
Randolph, John B.
Place
United States • North and Central America • Philadelphia • Pennsylvania
Topic
Finance • Religion • Correspondence
Culture
Baptists • African Americans
Geo Location
City • Philadelphia • State • Pennsylvania • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America
Type
Photomechanical prints • 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.

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NMAAHC

Poster of Bobby Seale, Black Panther Party Co-founder

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Lithographic print of Hiram Revels

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Letter from and photomechanical print of Rev. John B. Randolph

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Airline freight tag from Mae's Millinery Shop

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

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

Madam C.J. Walker