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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

Bill of sale for two enslaved women, Nelly and Milley, and their six children

Date
1832
Written by
Thomas N. Clark, American, 1763 - 1847
Received by
James P. Clark, American, 1797 - 1863
Subject of
Rhoda Phillips, American, 1831 - 1906
Unidentified Woman or Women
Unidentified Child or Children
Description
A handwritten document of black ink on rag paper recording the sale of two enslaved women, Nelly and Milley, and their respective children from Thomas A. Clark to James P. Clark. On one side, the document records the value of the enslaved persons being sold:
[Nelly and her four children
Washington......$200.00
Charles......$150.00
Andrew......$100.0
Malinda......$50.00
Nelly..........$350.00 - $850.00
Milley + Her two Daughters.... 550.00 - $1400.00].
The document then continues:
[Know all men by these present that I Thomas N Clark of the county of Roane State of Tennessee has this 23rd day of August one thousand eight hundred and thirty two bargained sold and delivered unto James P Clark of the county of Davidson and state aforesaid that the above names Negros to sell Nelly & her four children Washington, Charly, Andrew & Malinda / Milly and her two daughters Rhoda & Martha for the consideration of the sum of fourteen hundred dollars to me in hand paid the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge and I do hereby forward warrant and defend the right and title of the aforesaid Negroes to the said James P Clark his heirs and assigns from all and every claim.].
The document continues on the other side with the signature of Thomas N. Clark. In the center is [Mr. James P. Clark / Nashville]. There is also a later note stating:
[State of Tennessee
Roane County
The within bill of sale together with the probate there on is registered in the register’s office for Roane County in Book 78 page 709 Feb. 25th 1833
Henry H. Wiley
Register for Roane County].
Place made
Roane County, Tennessee, United States, North and Central America
Place used
Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, United States, North and Central America
Topic
African American
Business
Children
Domestic slave trade
Families
Finance
Motherhood
Slavery
Women
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
2012.151
Type
bills of sale
Restrictions & Rights
Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Medium
ink on rag paper
Dimensions
H x W: 9 3/4 x 7 7/8 in. (24.8 x 20 cm)
Title
Object Name • Bill of sale for two enslaved women, Nelly and Milley, and their six children
Record ID
nmaahc_2012.151
Museum
NMAAHC
Title Sort
BILL OF SALE FOR TWO ENSLAVED WOMEN, NELLY AND MILLEY, AND THEIR SIX CHILDREN
Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Metadata Usage
CC0
Date
1830s
Name
Clark, James P. • Phillips, Rhoda • Clark, Thomas N.
Place
United States • Tennessee • North and Central America • Nashville • Roane County • Davidson County
Topic
Slavery • Women • Finance • Family • Domestic slave trade • Children • Motherhood • Business
Culture
African Americans
Geo Location
County • Roane County • State • Tennessee • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America • City • Nashville • County • Davidson County
Type
Sales records
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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Bond from Charles Crouch to Thomas Gadsden

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Coalition Rule in Danville

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NMAAHC

Broadside in support of the "Danville Circular"

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NMAAHC

Bill of sale for two enslaved women, Nelly and Milley, and their six children

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

Which Supreme Court case ruled state-sponsored public-school segregation unconstitutional?

Brown v. Board of Education in 1954.