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THE JOURNEY THROUGH TIME
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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

Bill of sale for Hannah and her children, Clarinda and Stephen

Date
March 3, 1800
Written by
Maurice Simons
Subject of
William Doughty, American
Unidentified Woman or Women
Unidentified Child or Children
Printed by
Freneau & Paine, American, 1795 - 1810
Description
A bill of sale for an enslaved woman named Hannah and her children Claudia and Stephen, sold from Maurice Simons to William Doughty for 326 pounds, 5 shillings on March 3, 1800 in Charleston, South Carolina. The documented is a pre-printed bill of sale for the state of South Carolina that has been completed by hand in brown ink. At top right is [BILL OF SALE - PRINTED BY FRENEAU & PAINE.] and at top left is [STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA]. The body of the text reads in part: [Maurice Simons of Georgetown Merchant / for and in consideration of the sum of Three hundred and Twenty Six pounds / five Shillings / to me in hand paid, at and before the sealing and delivery of these presents, / by William Doughty Planter / the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge, to have bargained and sold, / and by these presents do bargain, sell and deliver to the said William Doughty / Three negroes Viz. Hannah and her two children / Claudia & Stephen with their future Issue and Increase / TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said negroes Hannah Claudia & Stephen / unto the said William Doughty his / executors, administrators and assigns, to his and their own proper use / and behoof for ever.]. The document is signed [M. Simons] and is witnessed by [James Bolan]. There is a piece of square paper over what appears to be a wax seal next to Simons signature]. On the verso, which when folded appears as the front, is written by hand [Bill of Sale] vertically and [3 March 1800 / Maurice Simons – Bill / of Sale three Negroes - / Hannah, Clarinda & / Stephen in deed of / Gift. 27 March 1802.] horizontally.
Place made
Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina, United States, North and Central America
Topic
African American
Children
Domestic slave trade
Families
Finance
Motherhood
Slavery
Women
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title
Liljenquist Family Collection
Classification
Slavery and Freedom Objects
Documents and Manuscripts
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift from the Liljenquist Family Collection
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2012.158.7
Type
bills of sale
Restrictions & Rights
Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Medium
ink on paper
Dimensions
H x W: 13 1/8 x 8 7/16 in. (33.3 x 21.4 cm)
Title
Object Name • Bill of sale for Hannah and her children, Clarinda and Stephen
Record ID
nmaahc_2012.158.7
Museum
NMAAHC
Title Sort
BILL OF SALE FOR HANNAH AND HER CHILDREN, CLARINDA AND STEPHEN
Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Metadata Usage
CC0
Date
1800s
Name
Simmons, Maurice • Freneau & Paine • Doughty, William
Place
Charleston County • Charleston • United States • North and Central America • South Carolina
Topic
Slavery • Women • Finance • Family • Domestic slave trade • Children • Motherhood
Culture
African Americans
Geo Location
City • Charleston • County • Charleston County • State • South Carolina • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America
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.

NMAAHC

Radical Members of the South Carolina Legislature

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Radical Members of the South Carolina Legislature

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Bill of sale for Hannah and her children, Clarinda and Stephen

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Deed of transfer of enslaved persons from the estate of Richard Rouzee

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.