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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

Nautical clock gifted from Pres. Theodore Roosevelt to William L. Houston

Date
1905-1919
Created by
Unidentified
Commissioned by
President Theodore Roosevelt, American, 1858 - 1919
Received by
William Lepre Houston, American, 1870 - 1953
Owned by
Charles Hamilton Houston, American, 1895 - 1951
Caption
William LePre Houston (1870-1953) was a prominent Washington, DC attorney who was active in the Republican Party and worked for African American labor organizations, including the Railway Men's International Benevolent Industrial Association. According to son and law partner Charles Hamilton Houston, this nautical clock was a gift from President Theodore Roosevelt for his father's role as an unofficial African American advisor.The clock was a significant family heirloom that resided on the mantelpiece of the family's home on Washington's northwest side.
Description
A table clock with nautical design gifted from President Theodore Roosevelt to William L. Houston. The clock is comprised of two separate pieces, the clock itself (.4a) and the base (.4b). The bottom of the clock is made of marble resting on four metal pedestals at each corner. The greenish marble is cracked throughout but still intact. The largest feature of the clock is a brass arm on the right side that curves to the left. On the front of the arm is a propeller. The top of the arm has a piece that connects the chain to the block and tackle pulley system that holds up the clock. The clock is spherical and hangs from a post connected to a circle. The circle rests on the hook of the pulley system. The back of the clock is metal and opens on a hinge to show the inner mechanics. The front of the clock is glass with a numbered face. The metal chain connected to the pulley continues through the top circle of an anchor mounted to the marble base and then wraps around a ship's wheel secured to the base just below the hanging clock sphere. Inside the top of the wheel is a compass.
Place made
United States, North and Central America
Topic
African American
Design
Families
Labor
Law
Local and regional
Ornamentation
Politics
U.S. History, 1865-1921
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification
Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Charles Hamilton Houston, Jr. and Dr. Rosemary Jagus
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2018.59.4ab
Type
mantel clocks
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Medium
glass, metal and marble
Dimensions
H x W x D (.4a Clock): 7 × 4 3/8 × 4 3/8 in. (17.8 × 11.2 × 11.2 cm)
H x W x D (.4b Stand): 10 × 4 1/2 × 15 1/2 in. (25.4 × 11.4 × 39.4 cm)
Title
Object Name • Nautical clock gifted from Pres. Theodore Roosevelt to William L. Houston
Record ID
nmaahc_2018.59.4ab
Museum
NMAAHC
Title Sort
NAUTICAL CLOCK GIFTED FROM PRES. THEODORE ROOSEVELT TO WILLIAM L. HOUSTON
Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Metadata Usage
CC0
Date
1910s • 1900s
Name
Roosevelt, Theodore • Houston, William Lepre • Houston, Charles Hamilton
Place
United States • North and Central America
Topic
Design • U.S. History, 1865-1921 • Law • Labor unions • Family • Politics • Ornamentation
Culture
African Americans
Geo Location
Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America
Type
mantel clocks
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

Tintype of Theodore Tennant

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Nautical clock gifted from Pres. Theodore Roosevelt to William L. Houston

Date: Date

Caption

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NMAAHC

Turntable used by Grand Wizzard Theodore

Date: Date

Description

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No preview image
NMAAHC

Photograph of Theodore Watson

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 heavyweight champion was known as the “Brown Bomber”?

Joe Louis.