Black and white photograph of a boxer and black text underneath on a white background

Charles L. “Sonny” Liston (1932-1971) was a heavyweight boxer born in Arkansas before moving to St. Louis, Missouri where he was incarcerated in 1950 for robbery. It was in prison that Liston began boxing and earned his nickname, Sonny, from a fellow inmate. Upon parole, Liston began his professional boxing career, ultimately winning 50 of 54 fights, 39 of those by knockout. Liston was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991.

Trouble followed Liston throughout his life, including involvement with organized crime and drugs, during his career and in retirement. Drugs likely played a role in his ultimate death. Liston’s body was discovered by his wife in January 1971, along with drug paraphernalia, though no cause of death was officially listed.

Blue white and green illustration of a football player with blue text above and below on a green background

The Houston Oilers was a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas from 1960 to 1996 before relocating to Tennessee and becoming the Tennessee Titans.The Oilers were a charter member of the American Football League, winning the championship in 1960 and 1961 and making frequent appearances in championship games until 1993.The team name refers to the role of the oil industry in the history of the state of Texas and the logo is an oil derrick. 

Green and black text and an illustration of a cowboy with an I Like Ike button on it on a yellow background with a red then blue outer edge with white text on it.

The American Political Items Collectors (APIC), founded in 1945, is a non profit organization that promotes the study, collection, and preservation of political campaign memorabilia. Every two years, they hold a national convention where both collectors and the general public gather to attend seminars, exhibit collections, and attend auctions to buy, sell, and trade items. In 1997, the annual convention was held at the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino in Las Vegas Nevada. Dealers exhibiting and selling pieces in their collections likely distinguished themselves by wearing special ribbons with their pins.

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The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers was founded in 1888 by 19 machinists in Atlanta, Georgia. Thomas Talbot organized 18 of his fellow workers and voted to form a trade union. At this time, machinists earned 20-25 cents an hour and worked ten-hour days. Employers were hostile to organized labor during that period so the order met in secret for several years. The term, “boomers,” referred to men that traveled the railway lines looking for work, spreading the word about the union. It wasn’t long until there were 189 lodges organized. Over the next century, the union member numbers continued to grow, and the organization eventually affiliated with the International Metalworkers Federation. Today, their membership numbers are over 800,000.

Blue text on a yellow outer ring with a red stripe across the center with yellow and blue text on it

True Value Hardware began in 1948 when John Cotter founded Cotter & Company. In 1963, Cotter acquired Hibbard, Spencer, and Bartlett, and with the purchase came the True Value trademark. Today, True Value home improvement supplies, appliances, and hardware in over 4400 stores in more than 60 countries. Through the True Value Foundation, they support charitable causes by donating products and services to organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Painting a Brighter Future, and Habitat for Humanity. 

Blue text and illustrations of cans of salt on white backgrounds

The Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. was established in 1850 by five Philadelphia Quakers. In the 1950s or 1960s, the company changed its name to Pennsalt Chemicals Corporation. At the time of its creation there weren't any allocations for chemical companies, so they were founded as a salt company instead. Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. was mainly known for producing caustic soda, but also made soaps and candles for their clients. The most recent acquisition and name change in 2004 resulted in Pennsalt being renamed as Arkema. They are known for specializing in three areas: high performance materials, industrial specialties, and coating solutions.

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Founded in Chicago in the 1920s by Mario and Salvatore Giachetti, the Linco Bleach Company became the foremost cleaning product company in the Chicago area. The company was located at 2155 W 80th Street. Linco products could be purchased in the store or by home delivery. Linco home delivery was especially useful in a world before disposable diapers. Linco Bleach products were most recognizable for their brown glass bottles.

Red white and blue striped background with gold text and a blue circle in the center with a photograph of Clinton and Gore in profile

The 1996 National Convention of the United States Democratic Party was held from August 26 to August 29, 1996 in Chicago, Illinois. Lyndon LaRouche, a political activist from New Hampshire, unsuccessfully ran for the nomination of the Democratic Party presidential candidate. The Party nominated President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore for reelection and they won against Republican nominees Bob Dole and Jack Kemp in the November 1996 presidential election. 

The Democratic National Convention is held every four years by the United States Democratic Party to nominate presidential candidates. 

Black and white photograph of Ronald Reagan's head and shoulders on a white background with a red a blue banner with white text

Ronald Reagan was an actor and union leader who became involved with politics in the 1960s. He was the Governor of California from 1966 to 1974. In 1976 he unsuccessfully ran against Gerald Ford to become the Republican Party's nominee for President. Reagan’s concession speech focused on the dangers of nuclear war and the threat the Soviet Union posed. In 1980, he won the Presidential election defeating Democratic incumbent, President Carter to become the 40th President of the United States. He served as the President for two terms, from 1981-1989.

Illustration of two ovals in gold with an American flag bunched up between them on a white background

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