Black history told through amazing (and disturbing) objects -

The National Museum of African American History & Culture (NMAAHC) chronicles a people's journey and a nation's story. Located in Washington, D.C., this world-class cultural facility, a Smithsonian Institution, features an outstanding collection of exhibits related to the African-American community, family, the visual and performing arts, religion, civil rights, slavery, and segregation. Indeed, the museum provides visitors with a fascinating and deeply moving illustrative diary of the richness and diversity of the African-American experience. It also records darker chapters in the African-American timeline. So, are you interested in learning more?

Click through and ponder some of the museum's standout pieces.

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Iron shackles -

Two iron shackles consisting of iron loops joined together by a length of iron chain. These would have been used to restrain enslaved African people forcibly transported to North America and the Caribbean.

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Charleston slave badge -

These small metal badges, most often made of copper, were produced in Charleston, South Carolina, between 1800 and the Civil War. They were worn by slaves working in the city. This early 19th-century example reads: "Charleston / No. 108 / Mechanic / 1801."

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Lantern slide of slave dealers -

This early 19th-century lantern slide depicts a group of slave dealers standing outside their place of residence, the slave trading firm of Price, Birch, & Co. of Alexandria, Virginia.

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Block of Aquia Creek sandstone -

A sandstone block quarried near Aquia Creek, Virginia, by free and enslaved African-American workers and used in the construction of the Capitol building in 1824.

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'Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass' -

A first edition copy of the memoir and antislavery book 'Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass,' published in 1845. An African-American slave, Douglass later became a prominent activist, author, and public speaker.

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American Civil War infantryman -

A tintype (photograph) of Creed Miller, an African-American soldier belonging to the Kentucky 107th Regiment, c. 1864. The military identification pin is a silver five pointed star with "C. MILLER/ Co. E/ 107/ USCT" engraved at its center.

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Distinguished Service Cross issued to Lewis Broadus -

This Distinguished Service Cross and Ribbon was issued to Lewis Broadus (1875–1960), an African-American veteran of the United States Army, who served his country with valor for over 32 years, from 1897 to 1923.

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Boxing glove signed by Jack Johnson -

This burgundy leather left handed boxing glove is signed by Jack Johnson (1878–1946), the first black world heavyweight boxing champion.

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Booker T. Motel sign -

A motel sign from Humboldt, Tennessee, named for Booker T. Washington (1856–1915), an African-American educator, author, and orator. "Colored" indicates that the accommodation was for black patrons only.

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Tap shoes used by Sammy Davis Jr. -

This pair of child's tap shoes were used by singer, dancer, actor, and comedian Sammy Davis Jr. (1925–1990) when he traveled the vaudeville circuit as part of the Will Mastin Trio in the early 1940s.

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Tuskegee airman flight jacket -

A flight jacket worn by Woodrow W. Crockett, a member of the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of primarily African-American fighter and bomber pilots who fought in the Second World War.

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Negro American League baseball -

A Negro American League baseball poster featuring Satchel Paige and Goose Tatum. The league was established in 1937, and disbanded after its 1962 season.

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Charred penny from the Tulsa race massacre -

The Tulsa race massacre of May 1921 is among the single worst incidents of racial violence in American history.  This charred penny was found among the ruins of the city's black neighborhood of Greenwood.

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Trumpet owned by Louis Armstrong -

Louis Armstrong (1901–1971) is regarded as one of the most influential figures in jazz history. He owned this 1946 Henri Selmer B-flat custom-made and inscribed trumpet.

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Receipt for payment signed by Ray Charles -

Dated November 24, 1950, this receipt for payment signed by singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer Ray Charles (1930–2004) early in his career when he was only 20 years old is for US$82.50—worth approximately US$1,000 in 2023, adjusted for inflation.

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Outfit worn By Carlotta Walls -

Carlotta Walls LaNier was the youngest of the nine African-American students to desegregate Little Rock Central High School in September 4, 1957. She wore this matching skirt and blouse to the first day of school, which was also the first day she was turned away.

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Sign from a segregated bus -

This 1960 metal sign from segregated Nashville bus number 351 is stenciled with black paint and reads: THIS PART OF BUS FOR COLORED RACE.

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Yellow cocktail dress worn by Ella Fitzgerald -

Designed by Don Loper, this cocktail dress was worn by American jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald (1917–1996).

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Tape recorder used by Malcolm X -

The Wollensak stereo-tape magnetic recorder Model T-1515 used by Muslim minister and civil rights activist Malcolm X (1925–1965) at Mosque No. 7, (later renamed Masjid Malcolm Shabazz) in Harlem, New York.

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Hammond B-3 organ owned by James Brown -

James Brown (1933–2006) was one of the most prominent singer-songwriters in popular music history, and an unparalleled influence on the development of funk music. He was known as the "Godfather of Soul."

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Tennis racquet used by Althea Gibson -

In 1956, Althea Gibson (1927-2003) became the first African American to win a Grand Slam title (the French Championships). The following year she won both Wimbledon and the US Nationals (precursor of the US Open).

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Pinback button for the1963 Freedom March -

The purpose of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom was to advocate for the civil and economic rights of African Americans. It was during this event that Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech.

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Everlast robe worn by Muhammad Ali -

A white terry cloth Everlast robe worn by Muhammad Ali (1942–2016) at the 5th Street Gym, a boxing gym in Miami Beach, Florida.

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Starfleet uniform worn by Nichelle Nichols -

African-American actress Nichelle Nichols (1932–2022) was known to millions as the character Lt. Uhura on the original television show 'Star Trek.' The kiss scene between Uhura and Captain Kirk, played by William Shatner, in the 1968 episode 'Plato's Stepchildren' is popularly cited as the first example of a scripted interracial kiss on US television. 

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Milwaukee Bucks jersey worn by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar -

A Milwaukee Bucks jersey worn and signed by basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

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Michael Jordan's Air Jordan I sneakers -

This pair of red and black Air Jordan I High Top sneakers manufactured by Nike belonged to basketball supremo Michael Jordan, who played 15 seasons in the NBA, winning six championships with the Chicago Bulls.

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Fedora worn by Michael Jackson -

"King of Pop" Michael Jackson (1958–2009) wore this black fur felt fedora with gold metal buckle during his 1984 Victory Tour.

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Cadillac owned by Chuck Berry -

Rock and roll star Chuck Berry (1926–2017) owned this red Cadillac Eldorado, one of his personal fleet of Cadillacs. He drove it during the filming of 'Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll,' a 1987 documentary that chronicles two 1986 concerts.

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US Navy dress uniform hat worn by Michelle Howard -

Admiral Michelle Howard was the first African-American woman to command a United States Navy ship. On July 1, 2014, Howard was appointed Vice Chief of Naval Operations, the second highest ranking officer in the Navy.

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Keepsake pocket bank for the National Negro Memorial 2016 -

The National Negro Memorial was planned in 1926 as a monument where "the achievements of the Negro may be placed before the world." A century later, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., was inaugurated by President Barack Obama in September 2016. The pocket bank features an image of the 1926 original design intent for the memorial.

Sources: (History) (National Park Service) (American Experience)

See also: Defining moments in black history

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