Red and black ladybug with cream colored eyes on a cream colored button

Ladybugs are a beloved insect because of their colorful nature and their peacefulness toward humans. In many cultures, they’re a symbol of good luck. Ladybugs are also beneficial to farmers in that they consume plant-eating pests such as aphids.

Sepia-toned photograph of a woman with her hair up wearing pearls and dressed in turn-of-the-20th-century attire with off-white text below

The Century of Progress was a world’s fair exposition that took place in Chicago, Illinois in 1933-1934. The exposition featured a variety of new technologies and products aimed at showcasing America’s modern innovations while stimulating the struggling economy of the Great Depression. A number of special events were held during the fair, one of which was Netherlands Day, August 31, 1933. Among others were California Day, Swiss Day, German Day, and various showcases and interactive activities, from Golf driving contests to electrical shows. 

White and black text on a pink background

On April 25, 2004 people marched down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington D.C. to advocate for reproductive rights. An estimated 1.3 million people attended the march and rally, which included reproductive rights organizations such as Planned Parenthood Federation of American and NARAL Pro-Choice America, and figures including Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, senator Hillary Clinton, and celebrities including Whoopi Goldberg and Ashley Judd. The event was prompted by concerns over rollback of abortion rights under President George W. Bush and his stance that international funding would not be provided to agencies around the world that offer abortion services.

Black and white photo of a child's face in the center of the button surrounded by white text on a red border. 

The Prohibition movement in the United States was a social and political campaign that aimed to ban the sale, production, and consumption of alcohol. Rooted in the early 19th-century temperance movement, prohibition gained significant support in the early 20th century. The movement was driven by concerns over alcohol's impact on society, including crime, domestic violence, and public health. Key organizations like the Anti-Saloon League and the Women's Christian Temperance Union led the charge, mobilizing support through moral and religious arguments. 

Propaganda tactics like the one used on this button were very common. Prohibition was often depicted as a moral crusade, with advocates portraying alcohol as a destroyer of families and communities. This button shows a photo of a little girl asking the view to “vote no for my sake”. This is potentially hinting towards domestic violence in her home, which prohibitionists would attribute to alcohol use by the adults in her life. The movement gained significant political influence and public sentiment, especially during World War I, and succeeded in passing the Eighteenth Amendment in 1919, which led to nationwide prohibition in 1920. 

Red rim with a color illustration of Samwise from the Lord of the Rings in the center and a brown scroll with black lettering below

Samwise Gamgee is a character from J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy of books, and serves as the main character Frodo’s companion. When we first meet Sam, he’s a humble gardener, but through the travels on their epic adventure he proves to be an invaluable friend to Frodo.

In 1978 director Ralph Bakshi adapted part of Tolkien’s work into a n animated film. However, the film only contains the story to the first book and half of the second of the trilogy, and planned sequels to tell the rest of the story were never completed.

Superimposed red single-tone photographs of Kennedy and Nixon with red text above on a yellow background

The presidential election of 1960 included Democratic candidate John F. Kennedy running for his first term against Republican incumbent, Richard Nixon, in the first election to include all 50 states. The campaign featured heightened use of media and various merchandise on both sides of the aisle, including the ever popular pinback buttons promoting JFK and LBJ as well as those touting “Experience Counts,” and lobbying for Nixon’s reelection. 

The 1960s also brought about a new sort of satirical humor, often amplified through the pinback button and sold as gifts in novelty and headshops. “Win With Jick,” was a satirical slogan paired with a composite image of Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy that was offered as a laughable neutral alternative to the 1960 election, perhaps highlighting the idea of two wings, same bird in relation to the two-party system, or as a cheeky rebuttal to the spamming of political campaigns, or simply as a laugh for the undecided voter. In the end, JFK won by both Electoral College as well as popular vote.

Black and gray photograph of Huey Newton surrounded by black text on a blue background

Huey Percy Newton (1942-1989) was a political activist who co-founded the Black Panther Party along with Bobby Seale in 1966. The core mission of the group was to organize the Black community to prevent police abuse and racial discrimination. In 1967, Newton was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in the death of a police officer, resulting in a prison sentence. His trial and imprisonment sparked protests which adopted the slogan “Free Huey”. In 1970, the conviction was overturned when it became clear that Newton had acted in self-defense. “Justice for Huey” was not only justice for an individual person but was a representation of an entire race and community experiencing oppression. Huey Newton is attributed with being one of the most important Black civil rights leaders in American History.

Color image of a jester wearing a red cap and a blue cape gesturing to an ornate building behind him; fireworks are shooting off above the building

The figure in the foreground is dressed as a “court jester,” a staple employee in medieval royal courts. The traditional costume of a jester included a pointed hat, or one with animal ears, adorned with bells. Sporting a silly grin, the jester would be a master of wit, and the only person in a court who could criticize and mock the aristocracy without penalization. The jester’s position within the court would give them close access to the king and other high ranking members.

In the picture, the jester is pointing to the building behind him by using just his thumb. This sort of behavior is a “gesture,” a movement of the body to convey an idea. Another example of a gesture is waving a hand at someone as a nonvocal means of saying hello. Many societies have hand gestures which can be read as an insult to the receiver. To give a “thumbs up” is a sign of approval, while the “thumbs down” demonstrates rejection or disapproval. This thumb gesture can be traced back to Ancient Rome, and has been carried through to the 21st century by being translated into emoji.

So the art on the button demonstrates a clever play on words: a jester gestures.

Button is divided in half: red background with white text above and blue and white vertical stripes on the bottom half. A white oblong shape with red text and three interlocking circles is on the striped background.

P. Ballantine and Sons Brewing Company, founded in 1840, is one of the oldest breweries in the United States. Their most successful brand is Ballantine Ale and Beer. The three-ring trademark of Ballantine is an iconic symbol representing the brewery’s beer qualities: purity, strength, and flavor. Ballantine Ale and Beer were best described as having a high alcohol content and produced one of the first IPAs in the late 19th century. 

Unfortunately, the higher alcohol content and bold hoppy flavor were not appealing to the general public in comparison to the popular American lagers. This competition resulted in the decline of Ballantine's sales throughout the 1960s and in 1972, Ballantine Ale and Beer was purchased by Falstaff Brewing Corporation. Falstaff was then acquired by Pabst Brewing Company in the 1980s. Since then, the original recipes have been changed multiple times. Pabst Brewing Company periodically reintroduces Ballantine Ale and finally, in 2014, the well-loved beer was re-released extensively. 

Brown text on a yellow background

The Prostitute’s Union of Massachusetts (PUMA) was an organization that was an affiliate of a prostitute’s rights organization COYOTE (Call Off Your Old Tired Ethics) which was formed by Margo St. James in 1973. Later, the parent organization for sex worker advocacy groups became the National Task Force on Prostitution. These advocacy groups focused on destigmatizing sex work, and advocating for sex workers basic human rights and decriminalization as a path to building more safety in the profession. PUMA and other advocacy groups across the country were founded off decades of sex worker advocacy and women’s rights groups. Archival material about these advocacy groups is held at a number of institutions, including Northeastern University, Duke University, and Harvard.