Illustration of a red fez adorned with Masonic imagery on a white background

Shriners are a masonic society, self described as "a fraternity based on fun, fellowship, and the Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief and truth." The organization was founded in 1872, and originally called the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Shriners are know for their philanthropic work, including a network of children's hospitals, as well as for wearing distinctive red fezzes. They often refer to their members a nobles, with the phrase "Welcome Nobles" commonly being used to welcome new members.

Reddish-brown and black illustration design of a bull and the astrological symbol for Taurus, above stylized letters and surrounded black cross-hatching 

In astrology, Taurus is the second sign of the zodiac, governing those born between ~April 20th and May 20th. Astronomically situated in the winter sky of the northern hemisphere between Aries and Gemini, the constellation is represented by the head of a bull. This is related to the Greek myth of Zeus, who assumed the physical form of a bull to abduct Europa. People born during this time are thought to possess specific traits, including being stubborn, clever, trustworthy, and industrious.

Color photograph of 1970s-era Elvis Presley wearing a blue jumpsuit with gold embellishments

Known as the "King of Rock and Roll," Elvis Presley (1935-1977) was an American singer and musician who is regarded as one of the biggest cultural icons of the 20th century. Known for his distinct voice and gyrating hips, Presley began his professional career around 1955 when he signed with RCA Records. By the following year, Presley had a number one single with "Heartbreak Hotel" as well as a number one album, Elvis Presley. Presley soon developed a loyal fanbase and appeared regularly in concerts as well as late night shows and feature films. The blue jumpsuit he is photographed in on this button was debuted during his 1972 November tour. It is now on exhibit at Graceland, his Memphis, TN home-turned-museum. 

In 1977, Presley died of heart failure at the age of 42. His death was later found to be related to the use of prescription drugs. Though he died at a relatively young age, Presley had already cemented himself as an icon in American culture Throughout his lucrative career, Presley helped popularize rock 'n' roll music in America and had 18 number one singles. Presley was also one of the first five performers to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.​​​

Cartoon illustration of a sheepish-looking brown squirrel with large buck teeth standing in front of a two small piles of acorns stashed in a leafy tree

The phrase on this button is a play on "get it together", meaning making a positive decision or impact on one's life. The wearer is implied to have made positive strides in life but is still struggling in spite of that. The squirrel evokes the tendency for squirrels to forget where they've hidden caches of nuts.

Dark green and red text on a light green background with an illustration of a man, yelping and rising off a chair with a tack on it, in the center

According to John Pollack, the 1995 O. Henry Pun-Off World Champion, "the most common type of pun is the humorous use of a word in such a way that because of its sound, you can interpret it in more than one way." "Call Me Tack, I’m Sharp" is a pun "poking" fun (pun-intended!) on the word "sharp," also meaning "smart." Puns and wordplay have a long history of use, notably with Shakespeare in the 18th century (Shakespeare is known to have used over 3,000 puns across all of his plays!). The exact date of the first pun used is lost to time, but scholars think puns can be traced as far back as the 8th century BC.

Punning can be seen throughout the classic epic of Gilgamesh. In Tablets 11 and 12, when Utnapishtim tells the people that they will have a bountiful harvest full of bread and wheat, he is making a cruel pun relating to their fate; in Akkadian, the ancient language in which Gilgamesh was written, the word for "bread" is nearly identical to the word for "darkness," while the word for "wheat" is nearly identical to the word for "misfortune."

According to Pollack, puns enable us "to pack more meaning, or more layers of meaning, into fewer words [and] to convey complex ideas."

Light green background, dark green and red text, and an illustration of a smiling anthropomorphic pickle in the center

According to John Pollack, the 1995 O. Henry Pun-Off World Champion, "the most common type of pun is the humorous use of a word in such a way that because of its sound, you can interpret it in more than one way." "Call Me Pickle, I’m A Dilly" is a pun on a type of pickle, with the word "dilly" also meaning "outstanding." Puns and wordplay have a long history of use, notably with Shakespeare in the 18th century (Shakespeare is known to have used over 3,000 puns across all of his plays!). The exact date of the first pun used is lost to time, but scholars think puns can be traced as far back as the 8th century BC.

Punning can be seen throughout the classic epic of Gilgamesh. In Tablets 11 and 12, when Utnapishtim tells the people that they will have a bountiful harvest full of bread and wheat, he is making a cruel pun relating to their fate; in Akkadian, the ancient language in which Gilgamesh was written, the word for "bread" is nearly identical to the word for "darkness," while the word for "wheat" is nearly identical to the word for "misfortune."

According to Pollack, puns enable us "to pack more meaning, or more layers of meaning, into fewer words [and] to convey complex ideas."

Dark blue and teal text, and illustrations of a wheelbarrow filled with junk, a large iron appliance, and a hand truck on an off-white background in the center; teal with off-white text on the top and bottom

Scrap Iron and Junk Handlers Union Local 20467 was a workers union based in Chicago. In 1957, the union changed its name to the Waste Materials Handlers Union Local 20467.

This union is best known as having once employed Jack Ruby, the man who shot and killed Lee Harvey Oswald, the suspected killer in the assassination of John F. Kennedy. 

Black text on a yellow background

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Yellow-gold crest on a red background with red text on the crest

The Carnival of Roses was a rose-themed parade first held in 1896. The 1901 event that this button refers to was the second Carnival of Roses, held to honor a visit to San Jose by President McKinnley. The parade took place in the Alameda, a now historic district of the city. Another Carnival was held in 1910m and again in 1926 under the new name "Fiesta de la Rosas" in honor of San Jose's Spanish heritage. The last Fiestas de la Rosas was held in 1969. In 2008, a similar parade tradition, "The Rose, White and Blue," began, and continues be be held, as of 2024. 

Blue text on a white background in the center with two oval patches of blue on the sides

“Behind every great man is a woman” is a phrase oft quoted historically. Originating in the 1990s, it comes from the French phrase, “cherchez la femme,” meaning “seek the woman,” and was coined by Alexandre Dumas in his novel, “Les Mohicans de Paris.” According to this phrase, all great men of influence and power are “backed” by women who are hidden from public view. The phrase recognizes the often under-acknowledged contributions of women who supported men in their professional and personal lives. Historically, this may have been a step in the right direction towards recognizing women’s vast and important contributions to society, though in more recent years it has come to imply that women exist solely in the background, relegated to a supporting role.

This button, “ Behind every good woman is herself,” recognizes a woman’s agency and accomplishments separate from men. This modern phrase celebrates women and their active participation in their own successes.