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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

Men's frock coat, waistcoat, and shirt for theatrical production

Date
late 20th century
Created by
Unidentified
Subject of
Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
Description
A men's frock coat, waistcoat, and shirt for a theatrical production. The frock coat (a) is made of dark green synthetic knit. It has a pointed collar which is made of a synthetic pattern weave with wide green stripes. The coat is open in the center front and has an elongated lapel on each side which extends below the waistline. The lapels are made of the green striped fabric on the exterior and dark green knit on the backside. Ten decorative plastic buttons covered in dark green synthetic knit fabric are sewn along the elongated lapels. The long sleeves end in three-and-a-half-inch self-fabric cuffs. The striped, green pattern weave fabric is sewn along the outside of the cuffs. Six decorative buttons matching those sewn along the center front opening are sewn on the proper left cuff. Five buttons are sewn on the proper right cuff, one of the buttons is not covered with fabric. A decorative pocket flap made of the striped pattern weave synthetic is sewn on each side of the center front opening at hip level. The back of the coat has a center back seam and a pair of princess seams that continue to the hem. The coat is lined with striped green pattern weave. The sleeves are lined with light green cotton synthetic blend. A stiffener is encased at the collar. The coat is unlabeled.
The waistcoat (b) is made of green striped pattern weave. It opens in the center front with twelve buttonholes which align with six buttons, the other buttons are missing. The self-fabric covered buttons are made of metal. A decorative pocket flap is sewn on each side at hip level made of the same fabric as the exterior of the waistcoat. The flaps are backed with light green cotton synthetic blend. A ten-inch vertical shaping dart is sewn on each side of the waistcoat and ends at the hem. The back of the waistcoat is made of light green cotton synthetic blend and has a center back seam. The waistcoat is lined with green cotton synthetic blend fabric. Pencil markings are seen along the buttonholes at the interior. The waistcoat is unlabeled.
The shirt (c) is made of light green cotton synthetic blend fabric. The shirt has a roll down collar with a notch at the center front. Three self-fabric ruffles are sewn below the collar at the center front to simulate a jabot. The long sleeves are gathered along the top of the shoulders. An elastic band is sewn though a channel four inches above the end of the sleeve. The back of the shirt has a seven-inch long opening at the top of the center back seam. The center back of the collar is open, the collar closes with a metal hook and eye. Another hook and eye set were previously sewn to the opening at the collar but are now missing. The bottom of the shirt and shirt sleeves have a double fold hem. The shirt is unlined and unlabeled.
Topic
African American
Clothing and dress
Costume
Theatre
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title
Black Fashion Museum Collection
Classification
Clothing - Costume
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2007.3.902abc
Type
frock coats
coats
shirts
waistcoats
Restrictions & Rights
No known copyright restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Medium
synthetic knit, synthetic pattern weave, cotton synthetic blend, plastic, stiffener and elastic
Dimensions
a. frock coat
Length (shoulder to hem): 42 1/4 in. (107.3 cm)
Width (shoulder to shoulder): 18 in. (45.7 cm)
Waist (flat): 18 in. (45.7 cm)
b. waistcoat
Length (shoulder to hem): 25 in. (63.5 cm)
Width (shoulder to shoulder): 15 in. (38.1 cm)
Waist (flat): 20 1/2 in. (52.1 cm)
c. shirt
Length (shoulder to hem): 30 1/2 in. (77.5 cm)
Width (shoulder to shoulder): 19 in. (48.3 cm)
Title
Object Name • Men's frock coat, waistcoat, and shirt for theatrical production
Record ID
nmaahc_2007.3.902abc
Museum
NMAAHC
Title Sort
MEN'S FROCK COAT, WAISTCOAT, AND SHIRT FOR THEATRICAL PRODUCTION
Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Metadata Usage
CC0
Date
1990s • 1970s
Name
Black Fashion Museum
Topic
Costume • Clothing and dress • Theatre
Culture
African Americans
Type
Shirts • waistcoats • Coats (garments) • frock coats
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

Men's frock coat, waistcoat, and shirt for theatrical production

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Albumen print of Gabriel Giger, first African American to vote in Ottawa, IL

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Tintype portrait of USCT soldier William Johnson

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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.