Illustration of yellow sky with blue text and an orange music note on blue water over a white bottom edge with red text

Chicagofest was an annual music festival in Chicago that ran for two weeks every year from 1978-1983. It was the vision of Mayor Michael Bilandic and was held on the Navy Pier that had been reopened. The festival featured 16 different stages that were separated into different music genres. Over 600 performances were conducted during every festival. Some of the musicians who performed at the festival include: Frank Sinatra, The Beach Boys, The Blues Brothers, the Charlie Daniel’s Band, Alice Cooper and Aretha Franklin. The logo of a red music note swimming in blue water against a yellow background is from the very first Chicagofest that was held from August 4-21, 1978.

Illustration of a black barrel on a tan background with wood planks and yellow flames rising out of the top. Text on barrel is white and text below barrel is black and yellow.

The term "Brotherhood of the Barrel" was coined during the Chicago Firefighters Strike from February 14 - March 7, 1980. The "Brotherhood" was formed by the striking firefighters that huddled around barrel fires to warm up while picketing outside. This pin was created towards the end of the strike as a rallying point for firefighters to wear in solidarity.

An image of two people shaking hands is in the center of a white and red button surrounded by two rings of encircling text.

The Kentucky State AFL-CIO is one of hundreds of state and local labor councils. Since its creation in 1905 it has fought for economic justice, living wages, and union freedoms. The image on the button is the same one that Kentucky State AFL-CIO currently uses. 

Illustration of a Cessna A-37 attack plane on an orange background.  White text is superimposed over illustration.  Black text on bottom edge of button.

From 1980 to 1992, a civil war plagued the Central American country of El Salvador, with an estimated 75,000 Salvadorans losing their lives throughout the conflict. The war was primarily between the military-led government of El Salvador, which was backed by the United States, and the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN), a coalition of guerrilla groups. On the side of the FMLN is the Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador (CISPES). Founded in 1980 and based in Washington D.C., the organization promotes opposition to the United State's funding and political support of the Salvadoran military. Though the war ended in 1992, mementos such as this button illustrate CISPES strong opposition to the countries military and its allies.

Black text and a black and white image of Oliver North.

During the late 1980s, the Iran-Contra scandal was a major news event. Oliver North was a member of the National Security Council and was involved in the funneling of money to Nicaraguan guerrilla groups in violation of the Boland Amendment. His trial took place in 1988, and his conservative supporters used buttons like this one to show their support. North later went on to become a television host and a New York Times bestselling author.  

White text on a red circle with an outer white, then yellow-green then black outer ring

The American Tobacco Company introduced Lucky Strike cigarettes in 1916, acquiring its name from a chewing tobacco that originated in 1871. In the 1930s it was the best-selling cigarette in the United States, controlling 39 percent of the market in 1931. However, sales dwindled as smokers sought filtered cigarettes. In 1980s Lucky Strike had less than 1 percent of the market. The company introduced a new filtered, low-tar cigarette aimed at male smokers ages 21 to 35 in the early 1980s. In the 2000s and 2010s, the company saw an uptick in sales, which some have tied to the television drama Mad Men. In the show, Lucky Strike is the client of a New York City advertising agency, and the cigarette is frequently smoked by many characters. Lucky Strike sold 23 billion packets of cigarettes in 2007 when the series first aired. In 2012 the company sold 33 billion.  

White text on a red female symbol on a yellow background

Feminist organization Chicago Women's Liberation Union (CWLU) was founded in 1969 by Naomi Weisstein, Vivian Rothstein, Heather Booth, and Ruth Surgal. The goal for the CWLU was to end sexism and gender inequality so that women could grow and have better chances of holding positions of power. The CWLU also created programs devoted to women's studies and even developed a Liberation School for Women. The organization ended in 1977 after factional problems from within.

Illustration of a person wearing a hat long sleeve shirt, pants and sneakers break dancing on an orange background with black text above and below and a black ring around the outer edge

Breakdancing is a style of dance that emerged in the 1970s in the Bronx, New York, as part of hip-hop culture.  In 1973, DJ Kool Herc developed the musical technique that would typify hip-hop music.  By isolating and looping short, percussive sections of funk and R&B records he created extended instrumental beats, known as the breakbeats, which provided a rhythmic base for emcees and dancers to perform and improvise.  Breakdancing pioneers Richard "Crazy Legs" Colon and Kenneth "Ken Swift" Gabbert, cite James Brown and martial arts films as stylistic influences. 

The television show Soul Train and the 1980s films Breakin', Beat Street, and Wild Style showcased breakdancing and other dance styles, giving hip-hop mainstream exposure.  Since then, various styles and variations have developed, and breakdancing competitions continue to be held worldwide. 

Yellow button with black and red text.  The image of a beaver with a wood stump appears in the center. 

The Girl Scouts of America is an organization for young girls in the United States. It was founded in 1912 by Juliette Gordon Low. The purpose of the organization is to empower girls and young women to become courageous, compassionate, and confident leaders of the future as well as involved American citizens. Girl Scouts participate in educational activities, such as learning first aid, camping trips, and community service. They earn badges for the accomplishment of certain tasks and acquisition of particular skills.

Click here and here to see other versions of Girl Scouts Superstar buttons.

Illustration of cartoon beaver wearing overalls and carrying a toolbox inside small circle on top portion of button.  Green text on a yellow background.

Beaver Lumber Company was a leading building supply chain and lumber supplier in Canada, and it operated from 1906 - 2000 before it was bought by the Canadian cooperative of independent hardware stores, Home Hardware. From May 5-7, 1978 Beaver Lumber held a "show me how" home improvement exhibition teaching basic home improvement skills.