Image of a white Bull Terrier with a black and blue background with black text along the bottom

Known for its egg-shaped head, the Bull terrier breed dates back to 1835 and were originally used in dog-fighting rings. As time progressed, the breed became fashionable companions for proper gentlemen and was given the nicknames "White Cavalier" and "The Gentleman's Companion." In modern times, the breed is considered gentle and friendly in personality and have also been used as mascots in popular media. One example is from the late 1980s when Budweiser featured a series of commercials featuring a Bull terrier named Spuds Mackenzie. Spuds grin and on-screen high jinks helped further popularize the breed into fun and loving companions.

This button is part of a larger set of 35 buttons, each with an illustration of a different dog breed. They were originally sold on a 6” x 9” cardboard sheet.

Illustration of a big black dog on a blue background with mountains in the background over black text

Afghan Hounds are known for their long, flowing coats, which protected them in the mountainous regions of the Middle East, Afghanistan in particular, where the breed may have originated. The Marx brothers imported the first Afghan Hounds to the United States in 1926.

This button is part of a larger set of 35 buttons, each with an illustration of a different dog breed. They were originally sold on a 6” x 9” cardboard sheet.

Illustration of a missile over blue water with a red sun like shape on a white background

This button features the emblem of the 424th Bombardment Squadron of the United States Air Force. 

The button is one of a set of military insignia pins issued by Kellogg's with their PEP cereal in 1943. The set is known as the “Pep War Insignia Pins” and features 36 WWII military squadron emblems. It was created for Kellogg's by the legendary "Premium King" Sam Gold. The Kellogg's Pep cereal brand sponsored radio programs and was known for giving away premium items such as trading cards, badges, and pinback buttons.

Illustration of a character in a long robe and holding one arm out with a bomb in its hand on a red and black background

This button features the emblem of the 17th Bombardment Squadron (Light) of the United States Air Force. This unit fought in the Philippines Campaign and flew A-20s.

The button is one of a set of military insignia pins issued by Kellogg's with their PEP cereal in 1943. The set is known as the “Pep War Insignia Pins” and features 36 WWII military squadron emblems. It was created for Kellogg's by the legendary "Premium King" Sam Gold. The Kellogg's Pep cereal brand sponsored radio programs and was known for giving away premium items such as trading cards, badges, and pinback buttons.

Blue text with a circle filled with red and white stripes and white stars on blue on a white stripe with blue above and red below

The image on this button was designed by McQ Inc. of Indianapolis, Indiana. The company was founded by Robert McQuade who was an advertising agent who wanted to encourage a large voter turnout.  The company created many items with vote logos on them like this button.

White background with an illustration of a black ribbon. Gray text.

On June 5, 1968, Robert F. Kennedy, the younger brother of former President John F. Kennedy, was shot numerous times shortly following his victory speech at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. At the time, Kennedy, who had launched a campaign for the presidency had just defeated his opponent, Senator Eugene McCarthy in the South Dakota and California presidential primaries. Just after midnight, Kennedy was shot numerous times by gunman, Sirhan Sirhan. Sirhan cited that his reasoning behind the assassination was due to Kennedy's support for Israel. Pronounced dead the following day, Kennedy, like his older brother, John, had fallen victim to an assassination. Robert Kennedy was 42 years old.

Blue text on a white stripe over a white star on a red and blue background

Pot Belly bears were a popular stuffed animal toy for children and collectors produced by the Daekor company in the 1980s. The “Pot Belly” comes from the protruding belly that each animal has. The “Pot Belly Bear for President” button was included with some bears that were produced during the election season. While mostly known for producing bears, Daekor also produced other animals with pot bellies such as raccoons and koalas.

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.