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Black illustration of an antique wheeled industrial vehicle surrouned by black text on a yellow background

The Stephenson County Antique Engine Club is a nonprofit organization established in 1969 and based in Freeport, IL. The club has celebrated America’s historical heritage for over 50 years by hosting community events to educate the public about agricultural and industrial history. The annual festival, hosted in August, showcases antique tractors, tools, and other farming equipment. Attendees of the annual show can even ride a train and enjoy some tasty fair food!

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Did you know the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes featured an invention called a "transmogrifier," a shapeshifting device in the form of a cardboard box and a laser gun? Transmogrify is a whimsical term often seen in folklore to describe transformation in fantasy settings. This button could be an affordable way to become anyone or anything! 

Color illustration of a Santa Claus's face fills the majority of the button; a white background with black text above the illustration

During the holiday season for mid-century America, department stores and other attractions used pinback buttons with the headline "See/Meet Me at ____." to promote Santa’s appearance. Zinn’s was a diner and roadside attraction in Denver, Pennsylvania right off US Route 222. Opened in 1950, Zinn's Diner was family owned by the Zinn family and served Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine for decades. 

Throughout its years of operation, Zinn's Diner expanded the property by adding a park that featured recreational activities such as a mini golf course and batting cages. What Zinn’s Diner was known best for was its memorable statue that stands outside its establishment Amos, a large Pennsylvania Dutchman. The usage of U.S. Route 222 and other older highways began to decline with the rise of newer, faster highways, which negatively impacted businesses like Zinn's Diner. In 2003 Zinn’s Diner and Park closed and has since been sold and reopened as Park Place Diner. Don't worry! Amos is now safely housed at the Lancaster Historical Society.

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Carson's, also known as Carson Pirie Scott & Co., was a brick-and-mortar store in the United States. Carson’s grew in popularity similar to other department stores like L.S. Ayres and Sears, expanding in multiple locations by the end of the 20th century. However, by the beginning of the 21st century, shoppers shifted their preference from departments stores, and thrifting and online shopping was on the rise; the decline in sales eventually led to the demise of all of Carson’s storefronts. In 2018, Carson’s filed for bankruptcy, leaving behind a history of ephemeral sales buttons. 

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The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers & Helpers is a trade union for boilermakers and other related industrial workers in the United States and Canada. The union was founded in 1880 during the Second Industrial Revolution due to the growing demand for machinery and technology. Since then, the union has continued to serve those in the trade, offering competitive benefits overseen by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and MSHA (Mine Safety and Health Administration), ensuring quality care for its union members. From the coal mines to up to the ocean building naval ships and bridges, the union has played a vital role in supporting skilled labor across major industries. 

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WBEE-AM was a radio station known to broadcast jazz music for the Chicago Metropolitan area. The radio station first aired in 1955 in an all-gospel music format. In 1968, the stationed transitioned to broadcasting solely jazz music. Over the next 50 years, the station experienced multiple changes in its format and name. By 1989, the station’s name was changed to WMNN and shifted its focus to financial news, however it was quickly changed back to WBEE, continuing the all-jazz format. In 2003, the station faced another drastic change under new ownership, switching back to its original all-gospel format and ultimately changing its name to WBGX, which still broadcasts gospel music for fellow Chicagoans.  

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“Bet on a Vet” is a slogan in support of the military and its veterans. Generally, this slogan has been used to promote political campaigns of veterans and highlight veteran-owned businesses in an effort to raise money and provide financial relief. During May, numerous companies and communities celebrate National Military Appreciation Month, often using "Bet on a Vet" on various merchandise.

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Illustration of a raised human fist next to a raised animal paw on an orange background with red text above and below

In 1975, Peter Singer’s Animal Liberation discussed animal cruelty at the expense of humans, emphasizing the need for ethical improvements pertaining towards the well-being of animals and the economic challenges of animal regulations. Singer’s publication came at a significant moment during the animal rights movement, attracting a larger mainstream audience. Animal Liberation also inspired Ingrid Newkirk to found the animal rights organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) in 1980. 

From its inception, PETA has garnered both positive and negative attention for its investigations and exposés of animal cruelty in unsafe environments. One of their investigations culminated in the release of the 1984 short film Unnecessary Fuss, which used stolen footage from the Animal Liberation Front. The film exposed animal abuse at the University of Pennsylvania's head injury clinic, leading to the suspension of grant funding, firings, and the lab’s closure. As of 2024, PETA continues to advocate for animals, focusing on shutting down facilities that have poor animal production practices, saving animal lives daily. PETA has also experienced its own controversy, such as the protesting methods of throwing paint on those who wear fur or skin and the high euthanasia rates at their Norfolk, Virginia shelter. Even with these controversies, the animal rights movement has made significant progress spreading awareness and inspiring more humane practices.