Illustrated caricature-style portrait of Richard Nixon's face on a blue and green background; a star above vertically-aligned green text are to the right of the illustration

The 1968 United States presidential election saw a number of hopeful candidates running for office. Lyndon B. Johnson, the incumbent president, withdrew from the race for Democratic nominee after failed numbers at the New Hampshire Primary. Robert F. Kennedy was a frontrunner for the Democratic party until his assassination on June 6, 1968. Vice President Hubert Humphrey won the Democratic nomination and ran against Republican Richard Nixon and American Independent George Wallace. Richard Nixon won the 1968 presidential election, effectively realigning the American political parties after the Democrats were viewed as the majority party for decades. 

KKB designed and produced buttons for the 1968 election hopefuls, which are now collectible political memorabilia. Identified buttons feature Richard Nixon, Robert F. Kennedy, Hubert Humphrey, Lyndon B. Johnson, Eugene McCarthy, and Nelson Rockefeller.

Green text on a dark blue background and a green background with blue text around the rim  

The Fifth Avenue Vietnam Peace Parade Committee was a consortium of multiple organizations that were advocating for peace and an end to the Vietnam War in the mid 1960s. The March 26, 1966 protest was conducted not just in New York City but—which had protesters numbering over 20,000—across the United States. According to the New York Times, protests in Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, Detroit, Washington, and many other cities spanning the nation occurred the same day. 

There were a number of protests for peace, including rallies and sit ins, throughout the duration of the Vietnam War. The anti-war movement was bolstered by college students, but had broader reach due to the unpopularity of the draft, which impacted approximately 40,000 men each month. Protests increased as the war continued, including in Washington, D.C. at the Capital building and outside the White House. The Vietnam War ended in a cease-fire in 1973 after massive public outcry and anti-war sentiment, with long lasting harm to the Vietnamese people and to American veterans. 

Black and white text on a red background with a large blue-tinted photograph of Jerry Brown in the center

A prolific politician, Jerry Brown was first elected governor of California in 1974. He was later re-elected in 1978, 2010, and 2014, making him the longest-serving governor in California and the fourth-longest in United States history. In 1976, Brown ran as a candidate for the Democratic party in the presidential election, which this button is promotional material for, but lost to Jimmy Carter. He also attempted to secure the nomination against Bill Clinton in 1992, but was once again unsuccessful.

Blue text on a white background next to a blue-tinted photograph of a typically handsome 1970s-style man 

George McGovern was the Democratic Party Nominee running against incumbent President Richard Nixon in the 1972 presidential election. McGovern was seen as a radical politician due to his support for the anti-war movement. McGovern was the first senator to speak out against United States involvement in the Vietnam War. McGovern garnered a mass of celebrity support from the likes of John Lennon, Mark Hamill, Goldie Hawn, Liza Minelli, and Paul Newman. Actress Shirley MacLaine campaigned tirelessly for McGovern and produced the “Star-Spangled Women for McGovern” political variety show to raise funds for the Democratic campaign. While the show was regarded as “one thunderbolt after another,” Nixon defeated McGovern in a landslide. McGovern received only two electoral votes from Massachusetts and Washington D.C.

Bold black text on a gold backgound with an simple union bug below the text 

Line illustration of legs and boots standing in green grass and shamrocks surrounded by black celtic-style text

Visiting a gift shop is an essential part of any trip to Ireland, and no vacation is complete without bringing home a souvenir! This button was part of a 2-pack, distributed in Irish gift shops. Ireland's unofficial motto is Erin Go Bragh (Ireland Forever). With centuries of rich culture, including music, storytelling, and folklore, it's no surprise that the Irish take tremendous pride in their roots. 

Black text on a white background around the rim with a color illustration of a dolphin, sea lion, penguin, beluga whale, and otter frolicking in water

The Shedd Aquarium is a public aquarium in Chicago, Illinois, situated on the edge of Chicago Harbor. Founded in 1930, the aquarium, as of 2024, continues to house a wide array of aquatic life. The aquarium is a National Historic Landmark and features Beaux-Arts style architecture by famed Chicago architecture firm Graham, Anderson, Probst & White. Shedd continues to welcome over two million visitors each year and has grown to focus much of its efforts on protecting endangered animals, conserving aquatic life, and rehabilitation. 

Orange background with white and black text with a black and white illustration of a beaver in center; the beaver is weather a hat and ovealls, and is winking and giving a "thumbs up" sign

The First National Bank of Portland used this motto in the 1950s to promote their belief in the importance of their financial institution working with the individual Oregonian to: “keep our state forging ahead to greater and greater goals!”

The First National Bank opened its doors in 1866. The country experienced a financial panic in 1873, but the bank met the challenge and kept its doors open. It would continue to stay open and keep services available for their customers during every panic afterwards. In 1979 the bank merged with several other banks to form the First Interstate Bank of Oregon, and in 1996 Wells Fargo bought First Interstate. Today the First National Bank Building in Portland, built in 1916, remains standing and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Color photogrpah of a light and dark brown dog with red text on a teal background

The Royal Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Australia was formed as the SPCA in 1871. In 1920, King George V awarded the organization the right to use the “R” for royal. Their work continues today.

The “2/-“ seen on the button represents 2 shillings, a form of currency in use in Australia until conversion to a decimal system in 1966.

Illustration of a red train with a triangle of railroad tracks around it and a landscape behind that with red and black text above and below.

The Triangle Trolley Trip was a sightseeing trip offered by the Pacific Electric Railroad in the early 20th century in California. Billed as “The Way to See Southern California,” the 100 mile trip cost sightseers $1.00. The tour travelled southeast out of Los Angeles toward Santa Ana, and advertised such points of interest as “the walnut groves of the Whittier country,” “the oil fields of the Olinda District,” Huntington Beach, Seal Beach, and an aviation field.  The tour stopped for two hours for lunch in Long Beach, and included a free ride on the Hippodrome, a large ocean-side merry-go-round. 

Click here to see an alternate version of this button, also held by the Button Museum.