Black circular frame with white text. In the center, there is a white background with red text

Sandra Day O'Connor is a retired associate judge who served on the Supreme Court of the United States. First appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1981, O'Connor was the first woman to serve on the court and stayed in the position until she retired in 2006. O'Connor's time on the Supreme Court saw her play a principle role in many landmark cases. In 1992, O'Connor provided the necessary vote in Planned Parenthood v. Casey  to uphold the court's earlier decision on abortion rights in Roe v. Wade. In addition, O'Connor was also the deciding vote in the Bush v. Gore case. The ruling ended the recounting of votes for the 2000 presidential race, which was heavily contested. Thus, George W. Bush was allowed to go on to serve his first term as president. Retiring in 2006, O'Connor continues to stay active. She has authored numerous books and has given lectures throughout the country.

Black and white photograph of Humphrey in profile with black text on a white shape and red text on a pink background

After losing the 1968 presidential election, Hubert Humphrey again sought the Democratic nomination in 1972. Although he won the most votes during the primaries, he lost to George McGovern at the convention, thus ending his presidential campaign. 

White text with blue text

Harvey B. Milk (1930-1978) was an American politician who holds the distinction of being the first openly gay elected official in the state of California upon winning a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Upon moving from New York to California in 1972, Milk began showing considerable interest in politics and soon declared his campaign for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, which is a governing body that oversees county governments. Running in both 1972 and 1975, Milk lost both elections until finally succeeding in 1977. Upon winning, Milk served in office for eleven months and was responsible for passing a number of laws that furthered gay rights in San Francisco. Milk's career was tragically cut short when he was assassinated on November 27, 1978, by Dan White, who was a former city supervisor. Though his political career was short-lived, Milk has become an icon in both San Francisco as well as in the greater gay community for his efforts in advancing gay rights.

Painting of orange, blue, red, orange and yellow stripes

Hand painted button by an unknown artist found in a closet in Wicker Park, Chicago. 

Painting of blue and orange splotches on a yellow background

Hand painted button by an unknown artist found in a closet in Wicker Park, Chicago. 

Painting of three brown figures on a yellow background

Hand painted button by an unknown artist found in a closet in Wicker Park, Chicago. 

Painting of yellow and purple stripes and blue half circles with orange on a green background with an outer yellow edge

Hand painted button by an unknown artist found in a closet in Wicker Park, Chicago. 

Painting of blue, green, orange and brown shapes on a brown background

Hand painted button by an unknown artist found in a closet in Wicker Park, Chicago. 

Painting with orange yellow, blue and green 

Hand painted button by an unknown artist found in a closet in Wicker Park, Chicago. 

Orange and white text on a green background

President Jimmy Carter and his Vice President Walter Mondale faced a difficult re-election in the 1980 election. Carter’s first term (1976-1980) was rocked by economic upheaval from the OPEC oil embargo and loss of confidence in the Federal government following the handling of the Iran Hostage Crisis of 1979. The American people expressed their dissatisfaction after a decisive election concluded with Republican candidate Ronald Reagan receiving electoral votes from 44 states while Incumbent Carter received electoral votes from only six states. This dissatisfaction is reflected in other memorabilia from the election like this button in the museum's collection: http://www.buttonmuseum.org/buttons/anybody-carter .