Red text over a black outline of a rectangle with a red circle in the center on a white background

The official flag of Japan consists of a red disc in the middle of a white rectangular banner and is known as either the Nisshoki or Hinomaru in Japanese.  This version of the Japanese flag has been in use since 1870 and has historical and mythological roots. It is believed that the emperor of Japan is the direct descendant of Amaterasu, the sun goddess which is an important deity in the Shinto religion.

Illustration of a moose in a blue vest over an orange long sleeved shirt on a purple and blue background with black and orange text.

Anchorage is the most populous city in Alaska, surrounded by mountains and wilderness. Moose and other wildlife are a common sight, and the area attracts skiers, hunters, and others to the outdoors.

The anthropomorphic moose character, dubbed Seymour the Moose, appeared in different clothes in the Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau’s 1981 “Wild About Anchorage” commercial. The ad features Seymour and other representatives of the local wildlife dancing and singing in Broadway style.

Illustration of a Moose character wearing a black coat and red tie with red text above and black text below on a white background

Anchorage is the most populous city in Alaska, surrounded by mountains and wilderness. Moose and other wildlife are a common sight, and the area attracts skiers, hunters, and others to the outdoors.

This well-dressed anthropomorphic moose character, dubbed Seymour the Moose, appeared in Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau’s 1981 “Wild About Anchorage” commercial. The ad features Seymour and other representatives of the local wildlife dancing and singing in Broadway style.

Black text around an orange, pink, yellow and black illustration of a bird on a white background

Fondo Común de Promoción de Venezuela en el Exterior (Common Fund for the Promotion of Venezuela Abroad) was founded in 1965 by the government and the private sector. The purpose of this institution was to promote Venezuela as a touristic destination.

In 1967, the Fondo Común de Promoción de Venezuela en el Exterior organized an event to promote Venezuelan tourism. The event’s title was “Lucho Turismo” (I Fight for Tourism).

The cartoonish multicolor bird represents one of the region's many colorful birds, probably, resembling the Lineated Woodpecker. 

Blue text around a photograph of the top of a building on an off white background

Canton, Ohio is home to the McKinley memorial, made for and in honor of William McKinley, the 25th President of the United States. He was the last President to have served in the American Civil War and served as president from 1897 until his assassination in 1901. His memorial took 5 years to build after he died, opening to the public in 1906. 

Black text on a white shape of Wisconsin on an orange red background

Wisconsin is a US state in the upper Midwest, with a rich history and culture. By the time of European settlement during the late 1600s, the area was populated by the Algonquian and Siouan nations, and is today home to eleven federally recognized tribes. During the 19th century, large groups of immigrants from Germany and Scandinavia arrived, and this population boom led to Wisconsin becoming a state in 1848. 

Tourism is a significant contributor to Wisconsin’s economy, with its beautiful geography attracting travelers far and wide. Because the state borders the Great Lakes as well as the Mississippi River, water recreation is particularly popular. However, Wisconsin contains diverse geographical features, and tourists are also drawn to the state’s pristine woodlands.

Black text above and below a black and white photograph of a town on a white background

Bristol, Tennessee and Bristol, Virginia are twin cities on opposite sides of the state line, which runs along State Street (the main street) and through both cities. A sign above State Street/the state line proclaims Bristol “a good place to live.” The cities were officially recognized by Congress in 1998 as the birthplace of country music. In the 1920s, Ralph Peer of Victor Records scouted the area and discovered the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers. The two acts went on to record and popularize folk and country music. Descendants of the original Carter Family, including June Carter Cash, went on to shape American country music.

Red text over an illustration of the museum on a white background

The Victoria and Albert Museum in London, England was founded in 1852 and was named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. It is the largest museum in the world, with a permanent collection of over 2 million objects. Some highlights of the museum include the Gothic iron screen from Hereford Cathedral, the Ardabil Carpet from Iran, a jade wine cup made by the builder of the Taj Mahal, and an 1857 cast of Michelangelo's sculpture of 'David'.

Blue text over an illustration of the Tower of London on a light blue background

Her Majesty’s Tower of London was established under William the Conqueror in 1066 as a way to keep hostile Londoners and foreigners away. The oldest portion, the White Tower, was built in 1080 and has become a well-known symbol of London. Currently, the Tower is home to the Crown Jewels, which were designed in 1660 for the coronation of Charles II and are still worn by the current monarchy.

In the early and late Middle Ages, the tower was used as a fortress and a prison. In 1554, Princess Elizabeth (who would later become Queen) was imprisoned there after being accused of conspiring against her sister, Queen Mary. Her mother, Anne Boleyn, was executed at the tower in 1536, and in 1604, Guy Fawkes was executed after being implicated in an assassination attempt against King James I. It became a functioning prison again briefly during World War II when two high-profile Nazis, Josef Jakobs and Rudolph Hess, were captured in Great Britain.

Blue text on a white background with an outer blue edge

“I Have Seen the Future” was a traveling exhibition featuring work by designer Norman Bel Geddes. From June 27th through September 28th, 2014 the exhibit was on display at the Wolfsonian Museum at Florida International University.  It was developed by the Harry Ransom Center at The University of Texas at Austin and featured more than 200 never-before-seen items, including photographs, films, and drawings.

Bel Geddes was an urban planner as well as a costume, set, and industrial designer. He is well known for giving streamlined designs to everyday objects, such as furniture and vehicles, as well as buildings and roadways. He also is well known for his Futurama exhibit at the 1939 New York World’s Fair. This button is designed after a popular souvenir patrons of the Fair received after visiting the exhibit. For the history of the original souvenir button in the Button Museum collection, click here.