Happy Birthday God Bless Thee and Keep Thee

Illustration of a white birthday cake on a display stand with black red, and white text on a dark blue background. 

Buttons like the one seen here were commonly given out as birthday gifts to children by Sunday schools, churches, or local community groups. The blessing at the top represents the tradition of including Bible verses or blessings in celebratory items handed out at church gatherings or to youth. The phrase “God bless thee and keep thee” refers to Numbers 6:24 in the Bible, suggesting the button was intended for a religious setting. Items like this were treasured as personal souvenirs and helped build community by giving kids a festive, wearable token to mark their birthdays, especially before custom cards and online greetings existed.

Goodenough & Woglom Co. was a New York company that provided educational materials for churches and Sunday schools from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. Their shop at 256 Broadway published catalogs filled with resources like hymnals, attendance cards, lesson aids, and party supplies for events like Children’s Day. They were known for creating pins, badges, and certificates that encouraged and rewarded children’s participation in religious education. Sold through mail order, Goodenough & Woglom’s products became popular with churches all over the U.S., making them an important name in the early days of Sunday school programs.