Black text and an illustration of a rooster over a red circle on a yellow background

The Oxford Centennial was the 100 year celebration for the village of Oxford, Wisconsin. The event started on June 21 with a queen contest and ball. The celebration then restarted the following weekend with plays, square dancing in the street, bar-b-que, a parade, carnival, and a “Brothers of the Brush” contest. 

The Brothers of the Brush was a fundraising contest that would take place in town celebrations. Participants were required to start the contest with a freshly shaven face and then not shave throughout the contest, usually months leading up to the celebration event. There would be prizes for various categories such as fastest growing and best mustache. If you didn’t participate in the event, you were encouraged to buy a pin that allowed you to shave and wear it in public. If you were caught without one, you could be subject to a voluntary fine. The proceeds from the fundraiser were given to the town.

Yellow text around the outer edge of a blue and yellow image of a comet

Halley’s Comet passes by Earth about every 76 years. In the 1700s, astronomer Edmond Halley, after whom the comet is named, used Sir Isaac Newton’s gravitational theories to predict comet’s recurring orbit. Scientists believe the comet has been moving through the solar system for about 200,000 years. The earliest possible sighting of the comet could date back to 466 B.C.

In 1910, French astronomer Camille Flammarion said a poisonous gas in the comet’s tail could “impregnate the atmosphere and snuff out all life on the planet.” While other scientists refuted Flammarion’s claim, some people sealed their homes and bought gas masks. The comet last passed by in 1986 and is expected to have a brighter return in 2061.

White text and an illustration of an elephant with 3 black stars on a black background

The Republican Party was founded in 1854, and its primary issue centered around the abolition of slavery. The first Republican to be voted into the Oval Office was President Abraham Lincoln in 1860. Soon after his election, the Civil War broke out and helped usher the end of slavery in the United States. After the war, the Republican Party continued to enjoy years of prosperity and promoted improving the life of the working class. But during the Great Depression, many citizens blamed the Republicans in power, which led to a Democrat resurgence.

The Republican Party was greatly altered after the presidency of Franklin Roosevelt, shifting further to the right and becoming much more conservative. Several Republicans opposed the spending of Democrats and wanted the government to stay limited. The new conservatism was also ramped up over cultural issues such as abortion due in part to the party's Christian membership. Sensing that the American electorate felt brushed aside by the Democratic leadership, presidential candidate Richard M. Nixon made an effort during the 1972 Convention to persuade voters that the Republican Party--and Nixon himself--cared about them. His message resonated with millions and led to Nixon's presidential victory later that year.

Blue text on a light pink circle with an outer blue edge with pink arrows pointing to the middle

Fargo Rubber Stamp Works company created awards, advertisements, marketing products, and more for several decades including badges and buttons.

The Student Power concept is one spreading across the United States supporting students advocating for progression in an array of areas including politics, cost of education, student rights, and more. Several states have formed network groups or joined with affiliated organizations and alliances. These groups allow students to participate in changes across many platforms and gives voice to their concerns and perceptions on possible solutions to widespread challenges we face as a whole population such as climate change.

Illustration of a black arm and a white arm in a handshake over black text on a white background with an outer black ring

The Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee was a youth-based civil rights group operating in the American South during the 1960’s. Comprised mainly of African-American students, the committee organized mass voter registrations for African-Americans along with targeting segregation of buses by protesting laws forcing African-Americans to sit in the back of public buses. The group disbanded in 1967.

White text on a red octagon on a white background

The Equal Right Amendment (ERA) is a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution, which states, "Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state on account of sex." Congress passed the amendment in 1972 but lacked the necessary number of state ratifications, 38, to be passed. Opponents believed a rescission of the ERA  was important because of fears women would also be included in the draft alongside men. Rumors spread that the passing of the ERA amendment would mean laws on abortion, state rights, family law, and several other laws benefiting women would change. Since 2017, momentum has grown in support of ratifying the ERA.

Pink peace sign on a black background

The modern peace sign as we know it was designed by Gerald Holtom in 1958 in support of the British Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. The artist, familiar with flags and signaling, designed the mark to represent letters. The center line signals to the letter D. The sloping lines on either side represent the letter N. The N and D stand for the Nuclear Disarmament. Holtom explained that the symbol meant despair if seen as a questioning human (black stick figure) with his/her hands at his/her sides against the backdrop of the Earth (white background in circle). Holtom originally intended to use the Christian cross symbol, but did not want his movement to be associated with the Crusades. The peace symbol has often been misaligned as anti-Christian because of its similarity to an upside down cross.

White text on a blue flower shape on a light blue background

Democrat Samuel H. Shapiro served as the Governor of Illinois between 1968 and 1969 when the former governor Otto Kerner Jr. vacated the seat after accepting an appointment to the federal appellate court. Shapiro became the second Jewish governor in the history of the state. In 1968, he sought a full term and ran in the gubernatorial election against Republican Richard B. Ogilvie. Shapiro adopted the “Luv the Guv” slogan, creating campaign posters and buttons that fit a psychedelic theme. In spite of the creative marketing put together by the Shapiro team, Ogilvie pulled away just enough to narrowly defeat the Democratic incumbent.

After his loss, Shapiro retired from being a public servant and returned to his private life. He was a practicing attorney in the small town of Kankakee, Illinois until his death in 1987.

Black text outlined in white over a black background with a pink triangle on it

Department of Defense Directive 1304.26, better known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," was signed into law by former President Bill Clinton and took effect on December 21, 1993. It became the official policy of the United States military regarding service of gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals. The act prohibited homosexual and bisexual service members from disclosing their sexual orientation under penalty while simultaneously barring homosexual and bisexual civilians from military service. Former president Barack Obama signed the repeal into law on December 22, 2010 and it officially ended on September 20, 2011.

Green text on a white cross in the middle of a green circle with an outer yellow edge with green text on it

Have info on this button? Contact us here.