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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...

Shirley Chisholm — Unbought and Unbossed

In 1968 Shirley Chisholm became the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress. In 1972 she launched a campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination, breaking another political barrier.

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

Black cassock with band collar

Date
1950s - 1960s
Description
A black cotton-poly blend cassock by Abbey Brand. The cassock features a standing band collar made from one panel of black cotton-poly blend fabric that is self-lined and is top stitched along the top and bottom. The two front panels of black cotton poly fabric close center front with nine metal snap buttons, sewn to a 1.375” wide button placket. Each button placket is self-lined and top stitched.The cassock features set-in sleeves made from two panels sewn together at the inner and outer arm.
The cassock has been altered by hand. The original sleeve hem is 1”, which was folded once, and machine stitched into place. The new sleeve hem has a 3.25” fold and is secured into place with herringbone hand stitches in white. Similarly, the original bottom hem was folded once at 1.5” and machine stitched into place. A second fold was made at 3.25” and secured into place with white herringbone hand stitches.
The back of the cassock features a two center back panels sewn to the left and right front panels in a princess seam style. There are three inverted box pleats at the back near the waist, on in the center back, one on the left, and one on the right. There is a white fabric label sewn to center back interior neckline. The label reads [ABBEY / BRAND / 12 / SEE REVERSE FOR CARE INSTRUCTIONS] in black text. There is a line drawing of an abbey on the proper right side of the brand label. Below the white fabric label is a 3” hanging loop made from self-fabric. All interior seams are machine overcast stitched and the arm’s eye seams are bound in self-fabric.
Cataloging Notes
This project received Federal support from the Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative Pool, administered by the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum.
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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title
Black Fashion Museum Collection
Classification
Clothing - Fashion and Historical
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2007.3.687
Type
religious objects
Restrictions & Rights
No known copyright restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Medium
cotton polyester blend and metal
Dimensions
Length (collar to hem): 43 in. (109.2 cm)
Width (shoulder to shoulder): 15 3/4 in. (40 cm)
Waist (flat): 17 3/4 in. (45.1 cm)
Title
Object Name • Black cassock with band collar
Record ID
nmaahc_2007.3.687
Museum
NMAAHC
Title Sort
BLACK CASSOCK WITH BAND COLLAR
Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Metadata Usage
CC0
Date
1960s • 1950s
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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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.