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The phrase “random kindness and senseless acts of beauty” is attributed to American journalist and author Anne Hebert. In 1993 Hebert co-authored a book with Margaret M Pavel by the same name. The text of the book takes a Haiku-like form in which violence is admonished and peaceful unity is promoted.

With the addition of the verb ‘practice’ to the beginning of the phrase, it has since become a pervasive inspirational quote.  

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“Pray for Sex” refers to graffiti painted on a rock on Makua Beach in Oahu, Hawaii using the humorous play on a surfing term. Local surfers originally used the common phrase “Pray for Surf” which changed to “Pray for Sets” referring to “sets” of waves. In the 1960s, “Pray for Sex” was spray-painted on a large rock and has since become part of the surf culture lexicon.

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The Counterculture Movement of the 1960s was a time when societal norms and boundaries were broken down by the younger generation. College students across the country had become political and civil rights activists who protested against mainstream society. This counterculture movement is famously tied to both the Vietnam War protests and the sexual revolution.

Pinback buttons were a staple accessory for the counterculture movement. Especially popular were buttons featuring political, anti-war slogans, buttons were essential in spreading political messages, or slogans that poked fun at traditional values and mainstream society. In 1967, “Put a Little Love in Your Sex Life” buttons could be found across the city of San Francisco. 

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"Rats" is a slang word expressing disappointment. "Rats" stems from from the word "Drat" which also is used as an expression of disappointment used in the the early 19th century.

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In the 1960s, Underground Uplift Unlimited, based in Manhattan, produced buttons with countercultural slogans. The bright orange background can convey happiness, going along with the theme of satisfaction.

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To smile is when the corners of a person's mouth turns upward, sometimes showing teeth, to express a happy or content feeling. Encouraging others to smile can often be a positive motivator. The orange background can convey warmth and cheerfulness.

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The expression "Some of my best friends are..." dates from around the 1940s and was often used to defend oneself from being seen as prejudiced or to promote the type of associations that the wearer or user was involved in. In this case, "some of my best friends are (green)" could refer to the popular association with Kermit the Frog of The Muppets or someone concerned with environmental issues.

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Sputnik 1 was a satellite launched by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957, which triggered the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union. The Sputnik 1 rocket booster was visible at night while the actual satellite was more difficult to see. Sputnik 1 broadcasted radio signals for three weeks before its batteries died. It continued to orbit Earth for another two months before reentering the atmosphere and burning up. The launching of Sputnik 1 would lead to the United States' launch of Explorer 1, as well as the creation of NASA (formerly NACA).