Blue text around a red illustration over red text on a white background

This button was most likely celebrating either the first or second space rendezvous missions that took place during NASA's Gemini program.  The first of these two missions, Gemini 7, was a manned spaceflight mission that took place in 1965 and performed the first space rendezvous with the Gemini 6A.  This mission lasted 14 days and was double the length of time that anyone had been in space up to that point. Gemini 7 and Gemini 6A came within 1 foot of each other and would have docked had they been equipped to do so- the Soviet Union had also rendezvoused two ships in space but not come as close to each other as Gemini 7 and Gemini 6A.  Gemini 8 was a manned spaceflight that took place in 1966 and also featured a rendezvous, this time with the docking of Gemini 8 with the Agena target vehicle (an unmanned ship used for practicing maneuvers).  Of note, this mission suffered a critical system failure after the rendezvous which caused an immediate abort of the mission. Pilots Neil Armstrong and David Scott were able to return to Earth safely after 10 hours in orbit.

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Blue text and ba brown illustration of a building on a white background with an ourter gold edge

The Krueger Auditorium in Newark once boasted the largest dance floor in New Jersey. It was built by beer baron Gottfried Krueger in 1885, and he would host grand parties and dances as an effort to attract customers to his growing brewing company. In 1935, the Gottfried Krueger Brewing Company became the first brewer to offer beer in cans. The Krueger Auditorium hosted other events as well. Former Mayor of New York, Ed Koch, attended Jewish High Holy Days hosted at the auditorium in the 1920s. The Krueger Auditorium was demolished in the latter 20th century to make room for public housing.

Smiley on a red background

The classic yellow smiley face is comprised of a yellow circle, two black dots for eyes, and a black arc ending in serifs for a mouth. It was designed in 1963 by commercial artist, Harvey Ross Ball. Ball was commissioned by The State Mutual Life Insurance Company to create a happy face to raise the morale of their employees. His version was created in 10 minutes. The design was printed onto more than 50 million buttons. Neither Ball nor the company copyrighted this smiley, so it was continually used by other businesses in their promotions.
The design and concept is quite simple and was definitely used before Ball’s 1963 version. However, his has become the most iconic. Variations have been used for advertising campaigns and in popular culture ever since.

Smiley face on bright orange background

The classic yellow smiley face is comprised of a yellow circle, two black dots for eyes, and a black arc ending in serifs for a mouth. It was designed in 1963 by commercial artist, Harvey Ross Ball. Ball was commissioned by The State Mutual Life Insurance Company to create a happy face to raise the morale of their employees. His version was created in 10 minutes. The design was printed onto more than 50 million buttons. Neither Ball nor the company copyrighted this smiley, so it was continually used by other businesses in their promotions.
The design and concept is quite simple and was definitely used before Ball’s 1963 version. However, his has become the most iconic. Variations have been used for advertising campaigns and in popular culture ever since.

Black text and a smiley face on pink fabric

The classic yellow smiley face is comprised of a yellow circle, two black dots for eyes, and a black arc ending in serifs for a mouth. It was designed in 1963 by commercial artist, Harvey Ross Ball. Ball was commissioned by The State Mutual Life Insurance Company to create a happy face to raise the morale of their employees. His version was created in 10 minutes. The design was printed onto more than 50 million buttons. Neither Ball nor the company copyrighted this smiley, so it was continually used by other businesses in their promotions.
The design and concept is quite simple and was definitely used before Ball’s 1963 version. However, his has become the most iconic. Variations have been used for advertising campaigns and in popular culture ever since.

The secretary is often seen as the recordkeeper in low level administrations. This appears to be a campaign button for a club or school secretary role.

Blue text on a white background

This is a representation of a common math equation where addition is used. 2+2=4 is also used as a phrase to express that absolute truth exists.

White text on a blue background

“That’s not in my job description” is a common phrase used in the workplace when someone is asked to do something that is outside of their expertise or not part of their job responsibilities. Its use can sometimes be thought of as rude and can come across as too rigid or with anti-team mentality. It can also make one seem as though they are only willing to do the bare minimum. While it is healthy to establish boundaries, it is also important to practice good communication by explaining why it is not possible to help with a task. The reasoning for saying no depends on the situation, so it is crucial to always respond appropriately and professionally. 

Red text on a white background

Love is a strong affection for another person or thing. Love can also indicate a romantic desire.

1960s era fonts were often used in slogans which promoted peace, love, and joy rather than war. The war between the USA and Vietnam went from Nov 1, 1955 to Apr 30, 1975.

The peace, love, and joy phrase was used by Hippies, short for hipsters, a subculture which began in the 1950s beatnik coffee house scene predominately in San Francisco. Hippies continue to exist today with new generations of liberal minded activists who believe in peace, love, and joy.

Yellow text and a yellow illustration of hair on a black background

"Only her hairstylist knows for sure" was a phrase associated with Clairol hair color products, suggesting that the color looked so natural that only the hairstylist who added it could say if was real. This button plays off of that phrase, suggesting that the wearer themselves is the hairdresser from that famous quote. 

White text on a blue background

During the 1980s, pressure for the United States to reach an agreement with Soviet Russia to halt all testing and development of nuclear weapons and to "freeze" the arms race gave way to a large movement of protests and demonstrations. The grassroots organizing was influential and played a major role in nuclear disarmament and the prevention of nuclear war. The movement began in 1980 when Dr. Randall Forsberg published the "Call to Halt the Nuclear Arms Race", which was quickly endorsed by most major peace organizations. Within a few years, the Nuclear Freeze became the center of the Democratic platform and the Freeze resolution passed the house of Representatives with unanimous Democratic support in 1982. The Freeze campaign eventually influenced Reagan to reverse his stance, which had previously been staunchly against regulation of nuclear testing. He later signed the INF Treaty with Mikhail Gorbachev which began unilateral disarmament of nuclear weapons.