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Black History Portal
THE BHP WIRE —
HIDDEN TRUTHS
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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THE JOURNEY THROUGH TIME
BHP HOME BEFORE AMERICA 1800–1936 1937–1957 1958–1980 1981–2000 2001–PRESENT

Explore Black History

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

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Movements, leaders, victories and the continuing fight for equality.

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Meet the people whose lives, choices and achievements shaped the journey.

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Places

Black towns, communities, institutions and places where history happened.

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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...

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

Petticoat used by the Black Fashion Museum as a prop

Date
late 20th century
Created by
Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
Used by
Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
Description
A petticoat used by the Black Fashion Museum as a prop for a wedding dress. The petticoat is made from synthetic organza and is entirely machine stitched. The waistband is finished with zig zag stitches. A seam below knee length secures an additional panel of gathered fabric which extends longer in the back. A band of gathered ruffles is machine stitched to the hemline. A slit is placed at the center back of the waist which is finished with machine zig zag stitches. This silt turns into a center back seam that continues down the length of the center back panel. Two diagonal seams starting from the center back seam angle down and outwards ending at the sides of the petticoat. The center back and diagonal seams are pressed open at the interior.
Topic
African American
Clothing and dress
Fashion
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title
Black Fashion Museum Collection
Classification
Props and Set Design
Clothing - Fashion and Historical
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
2007.3.182.2
Type
petticoats
props (object genres)
Restrictions & Rights
No known copyright restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Medium
synthetic organza
Dimensions
L x W: 51 × 15 in. (129.5 × 38.1 cm)
Title
Object Name • Petticoat used by the Black Fashion Museum as a prop
Record ID
nmaahc_2007.3.182.2
Museum
NMAAHC
Title Sort
PETTICOAT USED BY THE BLACK FASHION MUSEUM AS A PROP
Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Metadata Usage
CC0
Date
1990s • 1970s
Name
Black Fashion Museum
Topic
Clothing and dress • Fashion
Culture
African Americans
Type
petticoats • Props (object genres)
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

Petticoat used by the Black Fashion Museum as a prop

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Prop riding crop from a costume worn by Nona Hendryx of Labelle

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Costume worn by Nona Hendryx of Labelle

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Costume oil can prop güira for Tin Man in The Wiz on Broadway

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

What prosperous Tulsa district became widely known as “Black Wall Street”?

The Greenwood District.