Illustration of a black peace symbol with the USSR flag on one side and the American flag on the other

This button was one of several other peace promoting buttons that were released during the Cold War (1947 - 1991). The flags represent the two major countries involved in the War; the United States and the USSR (former Soviet Union). The War ended when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991.

The peace sign was originally created in 1958 by Gerald Holtom for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. Inspired partly by semaphore flag signals for "N" and "D" (Nuclear Disarmament), Holtom sketched the symbol several times in preparation for the upcoming protests. Afterward the symbol was adopted by the American Student Peace Union in the 1960s, it grew to become the iconic symbol that we know today. Holtom passed away in 1985, and his collection of sketches was donated to the Commonweal Collection at the University of Bradford.

Illustration of a black and neon orange peace sign

The peace sign was originally created in 1958 by Gerald Holtom for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. Inspired partly by semaphore flag signals for "N" and "D" (Nuclear Disarmament), Holtom sketched the symbol several times in preparation for the upcoming protests. Afterward the symbol was adopted by the American Student Peace Union in the 1960s, it grew to become the iconic symbol that we know today. Holtom passed away in 1985, and his collection of sketches was donated to the Commonweal Collection at the University of Bradford.

Black text with a red "no" symbol over it on a white background

INMJ is an acronym for “It’s Not My Job.” 

Green text on a white background

"Let's Green America," is most likely a message to encourage people to join Green America’s mission. Green America strives to create a socially and environmentally sustainable society by using the strength of the consumers, investors, businesses, and the marketplace. They work to have all communities stay healthy and safe and focus on four areas: climate and clean energy, sustainable food and agriculture, responsible investing, and fair labor.

Green America was established in 1982 when a small group of people believed that they can create an economy that works for their planet. They helped people working as consumers, investors, community activists, teachers, and parents to take action that promotes positive social and environmental progress. This grows a market for green products, creates renewable energy, promotes fair wages and fair trade, and builds healthy communities. Green America encourages communities to put the world on a sustainable path towards the future.

Illustration of a blue and red flower next to black text on a white background with yellow and red lines around the outer edge 

The French writing on the button translates in English to: War is neither good for children nor for other living beings. This phrase was embraced by the group Another Mother for Peace (AMP) during the 1960s. The phrase is more commonly found printed with the group’s trademarked Sunflower logo.  The US based group was opposed to the Vietnam War and encouraged people, specifically women, to write to their elected government officials about their desire for peace. The group was inactive from 1986-2003. When tensions in the Middle East led to war between the United States and Iraq, the group reactivated. Both Germany and France were opposed to the Iraq War and embraced the AMP slogan.

Illustration of red and yellow flowers next to black text on a white background with an outer purple edge

The German writing on the button translates in English to: War is not healthy for children and other living beings. This phrase was embraced by the group Another Mother for Peace (AMP) during the 1960s. The phrase is more commonly found printed with the group’s trademarked Sunflower logo.  The US based group was opposed to the Vietnam War and encouraged people, specifically women, to write to their elected government officials about their desire for peace. The group was inactive from 1986-2003. When tensions in the Middle East led to war between the United States and Iraq, the group reactivated. Both Germany and France were opposed to the Iraq War and embraced the AMP slogan.

Illustration of blue and purple flowers on a red hand colored background with black text stuck to an orange button

“You're only here for a short visit. Don't hurry, don't worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way,” is a quote by Walter Hagen. The essence of this phrase is to enjoy life by slowing down.

Blue and red text on a white background with a blue outer edge with white text

The original group, the Brotherhood of the Footboard, was founded in Marshall Michigan on May 8, 1863. The following year the group changed its name to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE). It is North America’s oldest rail union and one of the largest labor unions in the United States. Their purpose is to “promote and protect the rights, interests and safety of its members through solidarity, aggressive representation, and education”. On January 1, 2004 the BLE merged with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and became the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET). Membership exceeds 55,000 people.  

Black illustration of an Aztec eagle on a white background with red text above and below

In 1970, the United Farm Workers conducted a strike against the International Brotherhood of Teamsters called the "Salad Bowl Strike. It became the largest farm worker strike in United States history. Within that strike was the nationwide boycott of non-union lettuce, called by Cesar Chavez.

The boycott began when the price of lettuce tripled after thousands of Teamster representatives prevented the majority of the nation's lettuce from reaching consumers. The strike ended when a contract was created that allowed the Teamsters, and not the UFW, to access farms and organize workers unions. However, this created a new issue, since the UWF no longer had jurisdiction over workers. On August 23, thousands of workers walked off the job, leading to the shipments of lettuce nearly ceasing. The strike ended on March 26, 1971, when the Teamsters and UFW signed an agreement restating the UFW’s right to organize field workers. Eventually, the strike, which became violent, led to the 1975 California Agricultural Labor Regulations Act (CARLA).

Black and red text on a white background with a black illustration of a dog's head over a red, black and white logo

Animal experiments are a hotly contested issue between scientists, businesses, and animal activists. The American Anti-Vivisection Society was founded in 1883 in Philadelphia to help raise awareness of animal abuse and get new laws enacted to protect them. Vivisection is when animals are operated on, typically while alive, in order for scientists to study their features, such as their nervous system. The AAVS has long been opposed to the practice and has tried several times, unsuccessfully, to outlaw the practice.

While they have failed to make vivisection illegal, the organization has won in other areas. This includes making the United States’ Department of Defense change procedures in 1973. They helped expose how beagle dogs were used to test poisonous gases for military purposes. The public outcry had been one of the largest the Department of Defense had ever seen and they were pressured into ending that animal experiment. The AAVS still operates today and is committed to ending animal abuse.