White text on a brown background.

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Red text on a white background.

The slogan on this button is likely a reference to the song “Just Tell Them That You Saw Me” by Paul Dresser (published in print in 1895 with a recorded release in 1896). The song describes a man approaching a woman he recognizes from childhood in a neighboring town and offering to bring a message home for her. She responds “Just tell them that you saw me,” hoping to improve her sickly condition before returning home herself.

Whitehead & Hoag Co. produced a similar button for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes around the same time featuring the “Just Tell Them That You Saw Me” logo above the cigarette company’s name.

White text with red background

Upon his resignation as a result of his involvement in the June 17, 1972 Watergate Scandal, the call to prosecute former President Richard Nixon became a key issue of debate within the United States. Being the first and only U.S. president to resign from office due to corruption charges, many argued that Nixon should be prosecuted and sentenced for his crimes while in office. However, Nixon's immediate successor, President Gerald Ford granted a full pardon for any and all crimes that Nixon committed. A controversial move, Ford maintained that issuing the pardon was in the best interests of the American people and that the move would allow for the country to move forwards.

Illustration of a white cowboy hat with superimposed black text on a blue background.

Richard B. Ogilvie served as the Sheriff of Cook County from 1963-1967 and in 1969 was elected the 35th Governor of Illinois. But before that he spent time as a Special Assistant to the United States Attorney General to combat Mafia activity in Chicago. This experience led him to pursue anti-Mafia activity after becoming the Sheriff of Cook County. Despite making very little headway into tackling organized crime in Chicago, Ogilvie gained notoriety for his tough-on-crime stance. This became a central issue in his 1968 Gubernatorial campaign, as seen in the Sheriff motif commonly presented in his campaign materials. 

Illustration of a stylized stencil portrait of President Barack Obama in a solid red, blue, and beige color with white text underneath the image.

Designed by American artist, Shepard Fairey, this portrait of Barack Obama came to be an iconic and widely distributed image in association with Obama's 2008 presidential election. The image, which is often portrayed with the words "progress", "hope", or "change" underneath became immediately popular upon its release. In the years since, the image has been hailed as one of the most recognizable symbols of Obama's campaign message. As a result of its popularity, Obama personally sent a letter of thanks to Fairey, expressing his appreciation for the support.

Portraits of Eugene V. Debs on the left and Emil Seidel on the right set against a red background with text on the top and bottom

In the 1912 United States presidential election, the Socialist Party of America nominated Eugene V. Debs as their nominee for President. Having already run in the same election in 1900, 1904, and 1908, Debs was hailed as a leading figure of socialist ideals and values within the United States. For the election, Debs selected Milwaukee's mayor at the time, Emil Seidel, be his running mate. Holding the distinction of being the first Socialist mayor of a major city in the United States, Seidel was seen as a logical and popular choice for the role of Vice President. The election would see Debs and Seidel face off against Woodrow Wilson of the Democratic party, William Howard Taft of the Republican Party, and also former President, Theodore Roosevelt, who after failing to receive the Republican nomination called for his own convention and created the Progressive Party, for which he was the nominee. In the end, Wilson emerged as the winner of the election. Debs, meanwhile, received 6% of the popular vote, his highest ever as a candidate. He would go on to run once more in the 1920 election, where he campaigned from prison as a result of his vocal opposition to the United States role in World War I.

Illustration of two people standing behind a shirtless person wearing shorts standing with black and blue text on a white background.

In 1977, American new wave band Devo released a cover of the Rolling Stones' 1965 original song "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction." The cover changed the original song so drastically that the band needed, and received, permission from Mick Jagger in order to release it as a single the following year. Devo is most notably known for their unique stage performances, in which they frequently appeared in bright yellow jumpsuits and red dome hats.

Gold and brown button with the Chicago World's Fair emblem at the top and an inscription saying "Chicago" on the bottom. 

The 1933 Century of Progress International Exposition was held in Chicago to celebrate the City’s centennial. The exposition lasted from May 27th, 1933 to October 31st, 1934 and boasted a cumulative attendance of over 48 million guests throughout the duration of the event. The fair was so successful it is the only international fair in American history to be economically self-sufficient.  

Image of a robin standing in grass with green outer edge with black text on top and bottom

Chatauqua refers to an adult education movement in the United States that was highly popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The movement provided education that was combined with entertainment in the form of lectures, plays, and clubs. The movement was inspired and modeled after activities at the Chautauqua Institution of western New York. The Chautauqua Bird and Tree Club referred to on this pin is today known as the the Chautauqua Bird, Tree, & Garden Club. The club continues to actively promotes the conservation and expansion of wildlife and plants among the Chautauqua Institution.

Illustration of the Union Jack flag in the center with white text surrounding on the outer edge

The British War Relief Association (BWRA) was a United States-based humanitarian organization that dealt with the supply of non-military aid such as clothes, food, and other supplies to the people of Great Britain during World War II.  Prior to the United States entering the war, the US, though carrying an isolationist attitude to the events of the war, provided aid to Britain. As the war progressed, a number of charities appeared across the United States to aid the people of Britain by sending humanitarian supplies and aid.