Commissioned by

United States Congress, American, founded 1789

Created by

United States Mint, American, founded 1792

Subject of

51st Marine Defense Battalion, American, founded 1942

52nd Marine Defense Battalion, American, founded 1943

Medium

Medal: gold;

Sleeve: velvet;

Box: cherry wood, velvet

Dimensions

Diameter (medal): 3 × 3/16 in. (7.6 × 0.5 cm)

H x W x D (velvet case for medal): 3 7/8 × 5 × 3/16 in. (9.8 × 12.7 × 0.5 cm)

H x W x D (wooden case for medal): 3 × 6 1/8 × 5 in. (7.6 × 15.6 × 12.7 cm)

Type

medals

Place depicted

Jacksonville, Onslow County, North Carolina, United States, North and Central America

Date

2011

Description

Congressional gold medal in honor of Montford Point Marines has a relief on its obverse featuring three Marines on the left and three in the forefront with rifles. Text following apex of the medal's arc reads [MONTFORD POINT MARINES / 1942-1949]. On verso is a relief of a troop in formation with a tower in the background on the right; the text reads: [FOR / OUTSTANDING / PERSEVERANCE / and COURAGE / that INSPIRED / SOCIAL CHANGE / in the/MARINE CORPS / 2011 ACT OF CONGRESS].

A rectangular velvet sleeve encases the gold medal; a small tab at the top of the sleeve assists the medal's removal from the box.

The storage container is a cherry wood box with a brass hinged lid and push-release button on the front center which opens it. The lid has the gold embossed logo of the U.S. Treasury encircled with text which reads [Treasury / United States Mint] and [United States Mint] is in calligraphic script beneath the logo.

Topic

African American

Military

Montford Point Marines

Segregation

World War II

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2015.237ab

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Awards and Medals

Exhibition

Double Victory: The African American Military Experience

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Issued by

United States Congress, American, founded 1789

Received by

Sergeant Charlton, Cornelius H., American, 1929 - 1951

Subject of

United States Army, American, founded 1775

Medium

Medal: metal, brass, gold plating, and enamel;

Neck and service ribbons: silk;

Case: plastic, brass, and velvet

Dimensions

Medal: H x W x D: 2 1/4 × 1 1/2 × 1/16 in. (5.7 × 3.8 × 0.2 cm)

Neck Ribbon: H x W: 1 1/4 × 22 in. (3.2 × 55.9 cm)

Service Ribbon: H x W x D: 1 7/16 × 3/8 × 1/8 in. (3.7 × 1 × 0.3 cm)

Case: H x W x D: 6 5/8 × 3 5/16 × 1 1/16 in. (16.8 × 8.4 × 2.7 cm)

Type

medals

Date

1952

Description

The medal (.1a) consists of a gold five pointed star, each point tipped with trefoils, surrounded by a green laurel wreath and suspended from a gold bar inscribed [VALOR], surmounted by an eagle. In the center of the star is Minerva’s head surrounded by the words [UNITED STATES OF AMERICA]. On each ray of the star is a green oak leaf. On the recto, the bar is engraved with [THE CONGRESS TO] with [SGT/CORNELIUS H./CHARLTON/CO C. 24TH INF REGT/25TH INF DIV.USA] engraved on the star.

The neck ribbon (.1b) is blue silk with two snaps on either end for the wearer to attach the ribbon around his neck. The center of the ribbon is covered in blue silk with 13 white stars.

The service ribbon (.2) is a rectangular bar covered in blue silk with five white stars.

The case (.3) has a clear plastic top with blue velvet and gold bordered insert.

Topic

African American

Korean War, 1950-1953

Military

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Ray R. and Patricia A.D. Charlton in memory of Cornelius H. Charlton

Object number

2013.165.1.1ab-.3

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Sergeant Cornelius H. Charlton Collection

Classification

Awards and Medals

Exhibition

Double Victory: The African American Military Experience

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053A

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Committee to Stop the US-South Africa Alliance

Subject of

African National Congress, South African, founded 1912

United States Congress, American, founded 1789

President Carter, Jimmy, American, born 1924

United Nations

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W (Sheet): 11 × 8 1/2 in. (27.9 × 21.6 cm)

Type

fliers (printed matter)

Place made

New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Place depicted

South Africa, Africa

Date

February 23, 1978

Description

This flyer urges readers to contact their congressional representatives to demand the United States stop trade with South Africa. The flyer is yellow with black text. The top of the flyer reads: [U.S. ARMS SOUTH AFRICAN / BOSSES AGAINST OUR / FELLOW BLACK WORKERS]. Near the bottom of the page the flyer reads: [LET'S AID THE STRUGGLE OF / OUR FELLOW BLACK WORKERS / IN SOUTH AFRICA]. The back of the flyer is blank except for text written in the bottom left that reads: [Feb. 18(?) 1978].

Topic

African American

Activism

Africa

Black power

International affairs

Politics (Practical)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2015.97.27.12

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera-Political and Activist Ephemera

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Committee to Stop the US-South Africa Alliance

Subject of

African National Congress, South African, founded 1912

United States Congress, American, founded 1789

President Carter, Jimmy, American, born 1924

United Nations

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W (Sheet): 11 × 8 1/2 in. (27.9 × 21.6 cm)

Type

fliers (printed matter)

Place made

New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Place depicted

South Africa, Africa

Date

February 23, 1978

Description

This flyer urges readers to contact their congressional representatives to demand the United States stop trade with South Africa. The flyer is yellow with black text. The top of the flyer reads: [U.S. ARMS SOUTH AFRICAN / BOSSES AGAINST OUR / FELLOW BLACK WORKERS] in block letters. Near the bottom of the page, the flyer reads: [LET'S AID THE STRUGGLE OF / OUR FELLOW BLACK WORKERS / IN SOUTH AFRICA] in block letters. The back of the flyer is blank except for the text written in the bottom left that reads: [Feb 23 1978].

Topic

African American

Activism

Africa

Black power

International affairs

Politics (Practical)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2015.97.27.13

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera-Political and Activist Ephemera

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Written by

United States Congress, American, founded 1789

Subject of

Fillmore, Millard, American, 1800 - 1874

Burns, Anthony, American, 1834 - 1862

Sims, Thomas, American, born ca. 1834

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 9 x 6 in. (22.9 x 15.2 cm)

Type

bills (legislative records)

Place printed

Boston, Massachusetts, United States, North and Central America

Date

1854

Caption

This printing of the Fugitive Slave Bill was sponsored by anti-slavery groups as a protest against the new law that required local and state authorities to assist slave owners in retrieving slaves.

Description

Booklet of yellowed paper and black text. Title reads "THE FUGITIVE SLAVE BILL ENACTED BY THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS." The entire bill is 8 pages, seven of which are printed with bold black mourning borders. The rear cover features a reproduction of an engraving with the caption, "The Boston Police executing the infamous law, in the case of Simms, who was delivered into the hands of the oppressor, between the hours of moon-setting and sun-rising, in 1851." The illustration on the back cover consists of a captured man being carried down the steps of a building by two armed men. The building is surrounded by rows of armed men and two dogs are facing off against each other in the foreground.

Topic

African American

Antislavery

Free communities of color

Fugitive enslaved

Law

Politics (Practical)

Self-liberation

Slavery

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2012.46.5

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Slavery and Freedom Objects

Documents and Published Materials-Published Works

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture