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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

US Naval Academy parade dress jacket worn by Jesse E. Wrice Jr.

Date
1979-1983
Manufactured by
Thorngate Uniforms, Inc.
Worn by
Lieutenant Colonel Jesse E. Wrice Jr., American
Subject of
United States Navy, American, founded 1775
Description
A black parade dress uniform jacket worn by Jesse E. Wrice Jr. as midshipman (junior grade) while attending the US Naval Academy. The double-breasted jacket closes at the center front with two (2) columns of nine (9) buttons each, which feature a raised design of an eagle holding an anchor surrounding by thirteen (13) five-pointed stars. The buttons on the proper left front side are decorative. The standing collar is trimmed in gold piping and closes at the center front with one (1) large flat metal hook-and-eye closure. The straight cut full-length sleeves feature two (2) bands of gold piping on each sleeve near the wrist. Each cuff also has one (1) black patch sewn to the outer side with one (1) gold five-pointed star embroidered on the patch indicating the midshipman rank of lieutenant (junior grade). The jacket is fully lined in black fabric. There are four (4) metal collar buttons attached at even intervals around the interior of the standing collar. A band of black leather is sewn along the interior waist as a stiffener, with two (2) large metal belt loops attached around the leather, one at each side waist. There is one (1) vertically oriented inset pocket at the interior proper left breast. A black fabric manufacturer's label is sewn to the outside of the pocket reading "TAILORED FOR THE / UNITED STATES / NAVAL ACADEMY / by Thorngate Uniforms, Inc. / NORRISTOWN, PA. / PROFESSIONAL DRY CLEAN ONLY" with the US Naval Academy logo stitched in gold. An additional white fabric tag with embroidered and handwritten text is attached to the lining of the pocket that reads "THE UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY / 36 / 919 Wrice, Jr. J.E. / 117E 838436 / by Thorngate Uniforms, Inc. / NORRISTOWN, PA.". A United Garment Workers of America union label is sewn beneath it.
Place used
United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States, North and Central America
Topic
African American
Clothing and dress
Military
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification
Clothing - Military Uniforms
Exhibition
Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View
NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Lt. Col. Jesse E. Wrice, Jr. USMC (ret.)
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2015.201.1
Type
jackets
dress uniforms
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Medium
synthetic fiber, leather, and metal fasteners
Dimensions
H x W x D (on form): 29 × 23 × 9 1/2 in. (73.7 × 58.4 × 24.1 cm)
H x W (flat): 28 × 16 1/2 in. (71.1 × 41.9 cm)
Title
Object Name • US Naval Academy parade dress jacket worn by Jesse E. Wrice Jr.
Record ID
nmaahc_2015.201.1
Museum
NMAAHC
Title Sort
US NAVAL ACADEMY PARADE DRESS JACKET WORN BY JESSE E. WRICE JR.
Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Metadata Usage
CC0
Date
1980s • 1970s
Name
United States Navy • Thorngate Uniforms, Inc. • Wrice, Jesse E.
Place
United States Naval Academy • Anne Arundel County • Annapolis • North and Central America • Maryland
Topic
Clothing and dress • Military
Culture
African Americans
Exhibition
NMAAHC • Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
Geo Location
Locale • United States Naval Academy • City • Annapolis • County • Anne Arundel County • State • Maryland • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America
Type
dress uniforms • jackets
On Physical Exhibit
Yes
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

US Naval Academy parade dress jacket worn by Jesse E. Wrice Jr.

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Academy Award, Best Sound, Glory, presented to Russell Williams, II

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Official Register of the Officers and Cadets of the U.S. Military Academy

Date: Date

Caption

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NMAAHC

US Coast Guard Academy Parade Dress Blue Jacket worn by Cadet Merle Smith Jr.

Date: Date

Caption

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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.