Blue and white illustration of a flag with blue and white stripes over blue text

The El Salvador flag was adopted in 1972 and is based off the flag of the United States of Central America. The two blue stripes of the flag represent the Pacific and Caribbean Sea and the white stripe represents peace. The version of the flag used by the government features the coat of arms on the white stripe. The coat of arms features a triangle representing the three branches of government and inside the triangle are five volcanoes representing the five former members of the federation.

Illustration of a flag with a red, black and white horizontal stripe over black text on a white background

In 1881 the civil ensign of the principality and kingdom of Montenegro was used as the unofficial national flag. The ensign is tricolored with the Cyrillic cypher H.I., for Prince Nicholas I, topped with a golden crown. The current national flag was adopted in 2004 and features the coat of arms in the center of a red background surrounded by a golden border. The coat of arms of Montenegro features a two-headed eagle, a symbol of Byzantine and ancient Roman origin. The two-headed eagle represents the unity between the church and the state.

Illustration of a flag with green, white and red vertical stripes over black text on a white background

The colors of the Mexican flag originally held different meanings than today: The green stripe represented the Mexican Independence Movement, the white stripe represented Catholic faith, and the red stripe represented the union with Europe and the Americas. Today the green stripe represents hope, the white stripe unity, and the red stripe represents blood to pay tribute to those who died in the war for independence.

Illustration of a black and white bird over a orangish sky and green ground

As a part of a set of 40, this button features a Kingbird. There are 13 different species of Kingbirds. They feed on insects and grow to approximately 8 inches long. Despite their small size, Kingbirds are aggressive birds that will attack intruders and predators. They are known to ride on the backs of hawks and crows and peck at their heads

Illustration of a flag with black, red and yellow stripes with black text above and below on a white background

The current German flag was adopted in 1949 although it has been used various times before in German history. The tricolored flag was used during the Napoleonic wars and again when Germany became the Weimar Republic. During the Napoleonic wars the black, red and gold colors of the flag were based on the soldiers black coats with red braid and gold buttons. In 1919 when Germany was known as the Weimar Republic, the colors black, red and gold represented the colors of the democratic, centrist and republican political parties. When Germany reunited after World War II the black, red and gold flag was reinstated and today the colors represent the unification of Germany.

Illustration of a flag with blue and white stripes and a red triangle with a white star on a dark blue background

The Cuban flag pictured was created by Narciso Lopez, an anti-Spanish Cuban exile, and the poet Miguel Teurbe Tolon in the fight for Cuban independence and sovereignty. The three blue stripes symbolize the three districts Cuba was divided into in the 1800s and the two white stripes symbolize the purity of Cuban patriot ideals. The red triangle symbolizes strength, constancy, and equality. The white star symbolizes Cuban independence and freedom.

Illustration of a flag with white, green and red horizontal stripes over black text on a white background

The national flag of Bulgaria was adopted in 1879 and features a white, green and red stripe. The white stripe represents peace, the green stripe represents freedom and agricultural wealth and the red stripe represents the courage of the Bulgarian military. The flag is heavily influenced by the Bulgarian nationalist organization, the Bulgarian Legion. White, green and red were colors used in flags by the Bulgarian Legion during the late 19^th century when the legion was trying to liberate the Bulgarian people from Ottoman rule.

Illustration of a black, yellow and white bird over green and a pinkish blue sky

As a part of a set of 40, this button features a Bobolink bird. The plumage of male Bobolinks is said to look like a skunk or a backwards tuxedo while females have brown plumage with streaks of white. Bobolinks eat insects, grains and seeds. In South America they are nicknamed “ricebirds” because they feast on rice fields and in Jamaica they are known as “butterbirds” because they are captured and consumed by locals.

Illustration of a blue flag with white stars over black text on a white background

The Victoria state flag was first created as a colonial flag of Australia. Sweet Caporal erroneously depicted the Victoria Australian flag without the British Union Jack on this button. Today the flag pictures the British Crown, the Southern Cross paired with the current St. Edward’s Crown, and the Union Jack representing the region’s past with England.

Designed and manufactured by Whitehead & Hoag Co. advertisers like Sweet Caporal cigarettes were able to insert their own backings to this button. Sweet Caporal was a brand of cigarettes created by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company in 1878 and sold to the American Tobacco Company in 1911.  Sweet Caporal was a very popular brand, especially in Canada during the early part of the 20th Century.  In 1908, 50% of cigarette sales in Canada were comprised of the Sweet Caporal brand.

Illustration of a flag with a red and blue background and white cross over black text on a white background

As of 1939 this flag became the merchant and civil ensign of the Dominican Republic. The blue of the flag represents liberty while the red represents the blood spilled in the fight for independence. The white of the flag represents the sacrifice of the Dominican people. Today the Dominican Republic’s national flag also features the nation’s coat of arms and motto “Dios, Patria, Libertad” meaning “God, Country, Freedom.” In the button, 'Santo Domingo' is misspelled 'San Domingo," which is the Dominican Republic's capital.

Designed and manufactured by Whitehead & Hoag Co. advertisers were able to insert their own backings to this button advertising their own brands.