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THE JOURNEY THROUGH TIME

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Explore the people, places, events, achievements, struggles and stories that shaped our journey.

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Events

Moments that changed communities, movements, institutions and the nation.

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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

Cuff links with West Point emblem worn by General Colin L. Powell

Date
1998
Description
One (1) pair of West Point cuff links worn by General Colin L. Powell. These brassy gold color metal cuff links are an exact depiction of the Academy at West Point’s coat of arms. The logo features a shield, bearing the arms of the United States with a bald eagle atop the shield’s crest. In the eagle’s claws are 13 arrows and oak and olive branches. The eagle grasps a scroll bearing the words “WEST POINT / MDCCCII (1802) / USMA” and the Academy’s motto, “DUTY / HONOR / COUNTRY”. On September 15, 1998, retired U.S. Army General, Colin L. Powell, was awarded the Academy’s Thayer Award in honor of his prestigious patriotism.
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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification
Jewelry and Adornment
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Alma J. Powell
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
A2022.101.1.98ab
Type
cuff links
Restrictions & Rights
No known copyright restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Medium
(a) enamel on metal
(b) enamel on metal
Dimensions
H x W x D (a): 7/8 × 3/4 × 1/4 in. (2.2 × 1.9 × 0.7 cm)
H x W x D (b): 7/8 × 3/4 × 1/4 in. (2.2 × 1.9 × 0.7 cm)
Title
Object Name • Cuff links with West Point emblem worn by General Colin L. Powell
Record ID
nmaahc_A2022.101.1.98ab
Museum
NMAAHC
Title Sort
CUFF LINKS WITH WEST POINT EMBLEM WORN BY GENERAL COLIN L. POWELL
Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Metadata Usage
CC0
Date
1990s
Geo Location
City • Washington • County • District of Columbia • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America
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

Views of West Point. Hudson River Scenery.

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Cuff links with West Point emblem worn by General Colin L. Powell

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Cabinet card of Col. Charles Young as a cadet at West Point

Date: Date

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NMAAHC

West Point Bible owned by Cadet Emily J.T. Perez

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.