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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

US Cavalry officer's uniform dress pants worn by John H. Alexander

Date
ca. 1890
Created by
John G. Haas, American
Worn by
John Hanks Alexander, American, 1864 - 1894
Subject of
9th Cavalry Regiment, American, founded 1866
Description
A pair of navy blue wool uniform dress pants worn by John Hanks Alexander of the 9th US Cavalry. The boot-cut trousers are made from a dark navy wool broadcloth. The trousers fasten at the center front waist with six (6) metal buttons and one (1) additional button and tab at the top, all hidden from the facing side by an additional placket. The waist band has a gore at the center back for an adjustable fit, closing with a self-fabric tab and metal buckle. Six (6) round metal buttons are sewn around the waist band for attaching suspenders. All of the buttons except the topmost on the front fly are marked "DÉPOSÉ / PARIS" on the front. There are two (2) welted pockets, one at each front side waist, with the welt shaped into a point and closing with one (1) button at the point. There is one (1) pocket for a watch at the proper right front side. One (1) welted pocket is sewn at the proper right back. The pocket linings are made from mid-weight cotton twill, except the watch pocket which is lined with cotton muslin. Inscribed on the watch pocket lining in black ink is the text "J.H. Alexander / U.S.A.". The waist band is lined in a half-silk cream, blue, and gold stripe. Linen lining material is sewn below the interior waist band for further reinforcement. A bright yellow 1 5/8-inch wide stripe of wool broadcloth is sewn on the outer side of each leg from below the waist band to the hem. A length of black twill tape is sewn on the interior back of the hem of both legs to protect them from spur damage. A length of brown cotton is sewn at the interior front of the hem of both legs.
Topic
African American
Buffalo Soldiers
Clothing and dress
Military
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification
Clothing - Military Uniforms
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Family of Frances Sampson Mask
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2012.34.1.2
Type
trousers
dress uniforms
Restrictions & Rights
Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Medium
wool, linen, cotton, and silk with metal buttons
Dimensions
H x W (flat): 42 × 14 1/4 in. (106.7 × 36.2 cm)
Inseam: 30 3/4 in. (78.1 cm)
H x W x D (On Form with Jacket): 61 x 25 x 14 in. (154.9 x 63.5 x 35.6 cm)
Title
Object Name • US Cavalry officer's uniform dress pants worn by John H. Alexander
Record ID
nmaahc_2012.34.1.2
Museum
NMAAHC
Title Sort
US CAVALRY OFFICER'S UNIFORM DRESS PANTS WORN BY JOHN H. ALEXANDER
Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Metadata Usage
CC0
Date
1900s • 1880s
Name
9th Cavalry Regiment • Haas, John G. • Alexander, John Hanks
Topic
Clothing and dress • Buffalo Soldiers • Military
Culture
African Americans
Type
dress uniforms • Trousers
Online Media Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions

Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture, Smithsonian Institution. Rights and restrictions shown above are supplied by the Smithsonian record.

NMAAHC

Cabinet card of Alexander H. Rieder by the Globe Photo Studio

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Officer of the Guard order issued to John H. Alexander

Date: Date

Description

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No preview image
NMAAHC

US Cavalry officer's uniform dress pants worn by John H. Alexander

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Carte-de-visite of a possible self-portrait by Alexander S. Thomas

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 became the first Black woman to travel into space?

Mae Jemison, aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992.