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In 1941, poet and art critic Eli Siegel founded the movement Aesthetic Realism, which is based in the SoHo neighborhood of New York City. The movement operates the Terrain Gallery, which exhibits the teachings of Siegel as well as the work of other artists. During the 1970s, Aesthetic Realism gained mainstream attention but also faced criticism in part due to its sometimes controversial opinions on social issues. In response, its members wore buttons with the slogan “Victim of the Press.” Eli Siegel died by suicide in 1978, and the movement has since declined, with only 66 members as of 2022.

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A week after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, First Lady Jackie Kennedy cemented her husband’s legacy by comparing his administration to the legends of Camelot. President Kennedy himself was likened to King Arthur with his pure heart, chivalry, and selflessness. The administration was Kennedy’s Knights of the Round Table, fostering a period of optimism with “utopian ideals and high hopes.” The Kennedy family was the closest thing to America’s version of Camelot royalty. Many may argue that this period of idolizing the Kennedy Family came to an end with the Chappaquiddick incident. 

On the night of July 18, 1969, Ted Kennedy, brother to John F. Kennedy, drove his car off Dike Bridge and killed Mary Jo Kopechne after a party on Chappaquiddick Island. After the car landed on its roof in Poucha Pond, Kennedy was able to free himself from the vehicle. He allegedly went back several times to try and save Kopechne. When Kennedy could not pull Kopechne from the car, he fled the scene. Law enforcement pulled Kopechne’s body from the car the following morning, citing her cause of death as drowning. Kennedy pled guilty to his charges, and the judge suspended his initial two-month prison sentence. Kennedy provided a televised statement that the public criticized for tarnishing his reputation, as well as the reputation of the entire Kennedy family.

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Sperry Flour Co. was a flour manufacturer founded by Austin Sperry in 1852. Sperry found success, expanding and opening multiple flour mills throughout the Pacific Northwest. Sperry's production began to decline due to its slower old-fashioned methods and the interference of World War I. In 1929 Sperry Flour Co. merged with rival flour company, General Mills, changing the company’s name to General Mills, Sperry Division.

Henry A. Wallace (1888-1965) was best known for being the 33rd Vice President of the United States under President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Henry A. Wallace, the son of Henry C. Wallace, who served as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture from 1921 to 1924, followed in his father's footsteps by serving the same title from 1933 to 1940. Outside of his political career, Henry A. Wallace grew up on a farm and became a journalist for his family’s magazine, Wallaces’ Farmer. Wallace created a mathematical method while working for his family's magazine to help agriculture prices. He also founded the seed company Pioneer Hi-Bred International, which produces seeds for agricultural purposes. 

The anti-slogan, “6,000,000 Piglets Squeal Hank Wallace's Raw Deal,” is about Wallace enacting the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1933, which resurfaced during his run as Vice President the 1940 U.S. Presidential election. In response to the Great Depression, the production costs of maintaining crops and livestock became unstable. The purpose of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1933 was to provide financial relief to farmers affected by the Great Depression by reducing agricultural supply—in short, the government purchased and slaughtered livestock from farmers to improve the economy. Though the act faced significant backlash, it did little to impact Wallace's political career.

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By 1969, over 500,000 United States military troops were stationed in Vietnam to fight the communist influence of North Vietnam. The war was incredibly destructive and violent against the Vietnamese people, and the United States’ involvement blurred the country’s moral standing. Demonstrations of opposition to U.S. involvement in Vietnam quickly grew into a countercultural social movement. Among those to join the “peace movement” were students, mothers, anti-establishment youth, civil rights activists, feminists, Chicano movement activists, educators, clergy, journalists, lawyers, veterans, and physicians. Tensions were already high due to an increase in student activism during the civil rights and free speech movements, only to be ramped up even higher once the military draft was enforced. The graphic war footage brought into the homes of Americans through televisions also played an active part in the growing opposition to U.S. involvement. Civil rights activist Malcolm X recalled how the U.S. was fighting to free Vietnam from communism yet refused full rights and equality to African Americans “at home.” In March 1973, the U.S. withdrew the last of its military troops from Vietnam, and the war ended two years later in April 1975. 

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Janet Gaynor (1906-1984) was an actress associated with the Golden Age of Hollywood era. Her career started in silent films and transitioned to sound films during the film industry transformation of the late 1920s. Her success peaked at the 1928 Academy Awards when she became the inaugural winner of the Best Actress award for her roles in three separate films—the first and only time the Academy awarded one award for multiple performances.

Janet Gaynor appeared in notable films throughout her career, such as A Star is Born (1937), and became one of the most profitable actresses during the 1930s. She semi-retired from motion pictures by the 1950s, turning her focus to theater and oil painting. Tragically, her life was cut short in 1984 due to complications from injuries sustained in a car accident two years earlier, from which she never fully recovered.

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The German Shepherd is a large, noble dog breed. Originating in Germany during the 19th century, its agile and energetic behavior is perfect for any working dog, yet its loyal personality is ideal for any family. German Shepherds are guardians, working alongside first responders and saving lives every day. They are also part of the herder family, bred to herd sheep. Shepherds can stand as high as 26 inches and can weigh up to 88 pounds, making their large stature very intimidating. The breed can be easily confused for a scary dog; however, the famous hero, Rin Tin Tin, showed the world just how brave, intelligent, and loyal German Shepherds can be.

The breed's reputation isn't all just bark, though. German Shepherd can be prone to aggression and have a tendency to bite. A study published in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that from 1971 to 2018, of all dog bites that were deemed worthy of a hospital visit, the most from a specific breed were from the German Shepherd. 

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1979 was quite a year for Miss Piggy; she starred in the hit film The Muppet Movie, was a People magazine cover model, prompted a Campaign to Award Miss Piggy an Oscar (CAMPO), and, evidently, was supported by some to become the next president of the United States. The following year would see the release of The Cincinnati Dancing Pigs’ novelty tune Ms. Piggy for President. In August of 1980, Miss Piggy was featured on the cover of LIFE magazine with the slogan “Miss Piggy for President”. It seems America couldn’t get enough of Frank Oz’s complicated yet lovable pig puppet.

While the team backing her 1979 presidential bid remains elusive, the idea is still being discussed; the ToughPigs website made a very compelling argument for her presidency as recently as 2016.