Illustration of an ice cream cone with pink ice cream in the center on a background of three concentric circles—yellow, blue, and yellow—with white bubble-style lettering below. 

Ben & Jerry's started from humble beginnings in 1978 in Burlington, Vermont. Childhood friends Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield opened an ice cream parlor with $12,000 and knowledge from a $5 correspondence course in ice cream-making from Penn State. Distribution of their delicious, original flavors grew steadily with major success, offering 98 flavors of ice cream as of 2025 with many options for non-dairy, gluten-free, and other alternatives ingredients.

Many flavors are named after pop culture icons, with an early and longstanding favorite being "Cherry Garcia," named after Jerry Garcia of the American rock band The Grateful Dead. Ben & Jerry's is also known for being outspoken for varying causes and movements, including environmentalism, racial justice, and Fairtrade initiatives.

Light blue text on a white background

The term “Nervous Nellie” is often used to describe someone who is overly anxious, hesitant, or fearful, especially in the face of high-pressure scenarios. Even though the exact origin of the phrase remains unclear, the earliest known print appearance is credited to a Detroit Free Press article published in 1921. The nickname was assigned by Minnesota politicians to U.S. lawyer and senator Frank Billings Kellogg due to his cautious political approach.

It is theorized that the term likely caught on due to its catchy alliteration and the popularity of the name Nellie in the U.S. at the time, which peaked in 1902 at approximately 0.56% of the total female births documented by the Social Security Administration that year. The name remained within the top 100 U.S. baby names until 1925.

The phrase gained wider national recognition in 1966, when President Lyndon B. Johnson used it during a Democratic Party fundraising dinner to criticize those who were hesitant in their support of the Vietnam War. Johnson warned that there would be “Nervous Nellies” in the rough times ahead, and ultimately encouraged unity and courage. The line was widely quoted in the press and is believed to have inadvertently helped embed the term into the American lexicon. From newsrooms to political podiums, the phrase has endured, proving the lasting power of catchy language paired with public visibility.

Blue text on a white background

November 23rd is tied to several notable events. One of them is Fibonacci Day, which celebrates the famous sequence (1, 1, 2, 3…) with the date itself—11/23—reflecting its early numbers. The day highlights the sequence’s importance in nature, art, and mathematics.

However, judging by its age, design, and messaging, this button most likely dates back to the early 1960s and was likely created to promote the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Although the historic march ultimately took place on August 28, 1963, some early organizing materials and internal planning documents referenced November 23rd as the original proposed date. This initial timeline was later adjusted to better coordinate with other civil rights efforts, allow for broader participation, and avoid conflicts with the holiday season.

The march itself became a defining moment in the civil rights movement. It brought over 250,000 people to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., where speakers—including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech—called for racial equality, fair employment, and freedom. Buttons like this one served as both promotional tools and keepsakes, helping to build momentum for a historic event that reshaped the national conversation around civil rights and economic justice.

Red background with an illustration of a tiger rendered in blue, red, white, and black in the center, white text above, and black text below

University of Missouri is the proud home of the Missouri Tigers football team. The team was established in 1890 and was named in honor of the Union militia known as the “Fightin’ Tigers.” During the American Civil War, the militia's small band of soldiers fought and protected Columbia, Missouri from the invading Confederate army. The football team and its mascot have remained a beloved part of the university’s culture, so much so, that in 1989 the University’s ice cream shop even named an official ice cream flavor after the team called Tiger Stripe. After many tries, the correct combination of a golden colored vanilla ice cream and dark chocolate sauce was achieved, and the creators were able to make an actual tiger stripe effect throughout the ice cream. Since its inception Tiger Stripe ice cream has become a university tradition. 

Illustration of a yellow dog-like animal with a large red nose on a white background with black text below and to the left of the character

Eugene the Jeep is a dog-like creature from E.C Segar’s Popeye comics, who first appeared in Thimble Theatre on March 16, 1936. The Jeep is an enigmatic creature, described as an animal that lives in the three dimensional world while truly belonging to the fourth dimensional world. Eugene the Jeep’s otherworldliness grants him teleportation and invisibility powers, and limits his diet to orchid flowers.

The character is commonly attributed with being the inspiration for the name of general purpose military vehicle better known as the Jeep, although the veracity of this claim has been debated. 

Black text on a cream background in the center outlined in gold; light and dark green geometric segments, also outlined in gold, are above and below

“Votes for Women” was the main slogan of the women’s suffrage movement in the early 1900s. It was used to campaign for women’s right to vote. Buttons like this were sold and worn to raise money and show support for the cause. According to the National Women’s History Museum, gold was one of the main colors used by American suffragists. It first appeared in campaigns in Kansas and later became a symbol of hope and freedom. Green was used by British suffragists and represented growth and renewal. Together, these colors made the movement recognizable and helped unite supporters under a shared cause.

Illustration of a green bush on a yellow background in the center with green text on a white background around the rim

The National Junior Suffrage Corps was devised as a wing of the National American Woman Suffrage Association in 1914. Piloted by the suffragist Caroline Ruutz-Rees in Greenwich, Connecticut, the Corps aimed to get America’s children invested in their political futures. Soon, they had chapters across the country. The logo was designed by artist Elmer MacRae, whose children were involved in the Greenwich chapter of the Corps. 

Photograph of a man with dark hair on a cream-colored background with a red and blue rim and cream-colored text. 

Robert  F. Kennedy was the seventh out of nine children of the storied Kennedy family. After serving in the Navy, earning degrees in both law and government from Harvard University and University of Virginia Law School, and helping with his brother, John F. Kennedy's, U.S. House and Senate campaigns, he fully kickstarted his political career as a member of JFK's presidential campaign staff. Between 1961 and 1964, Kennedy served as the U.S. Attorney General under his brother, during which time he helped push for racial justice and greatly contributed to the creation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 

The months following JFK's assassination were tumultuous for Robert Kennedy—he even considered leaving politics, though was convinced to stay. In September, 1964 he resigned as Attorney General and launched his campaign  as the Democratic candidate for the United States Senate, representing New York. Though Kennedy was originally from Massachusetts, at the time of the campaign campaign he was unable to run in his home state due to the fact that his brother, Ted, running for reelection to his U.S. Senate seat there. His decision to run a campaign in New York was met with mixed opinions from New Yorkers. 

Robert Kenned was elected on November 3, 1964, winning out over Republican candidate, Kenneth Keating. He went on to promote and create programs for underprivileged youths and students with disabilities, and improve the living conditions of impoverished areas of Brooklyn. Throughout his time as senator—and later during his presidential campaign—he was a large proponent of helping the homeless and those facing poverty. Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated on June 5, 1968 at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, in the height of his presidential campaign. 

Illustration of a purple, pink, and white tissue box on a red background with white text.

Kleenex Brand tissues have a long history, developed by parent company Kimberly-Clark for a surprising original use: as filters inside soldiers’ gas masks during World War I! The innovative, crepe-like paper proved to be so useful that after the war, Kimberly-Clark began incorporating it into their consumer products. In the early 1920s, it was used in menstrual pads branded as Kotex. In 1924, a thinner and softer version of the material came onto the market specifically as a makeup remover. It wasn't until 1929, in response to reports that Kleenex was being used in place of a handkerchief, that the brand morphed into its now familiar form. 

Kleenex packaging has changed repeatedly over the decades to reflect changing trends and new features of the product; the one seen on this button is representative of Kleenex in 1960. 

See the Busy Button Museum’s other Kleenex packaging buttons from 1924, 1928, 1932, 1936, 1964, and 1968. 

Illustration of a white and blue tissue box on a a red background with white text. 

Kleenex Brand tissues have a long history, developed by parent company Kimberly-Clark for a surprising original use: as filters inside soldiers’ gas masks during World War I! The innovative, crepe-like paper proved to be so useful that after the war, Kimberly-Clark began incorporating it into their consumer products. In the early 1920s, it was used in menstrual pads branded as Kotex. In 1924, a thinner and softer version of the material came onto the market specifically as a makeup remover. It wasn't until 1929, in response to reports that Kleenex was being used in place of a handkerchief, that the brand morphed into its now familiar form. 

Kleenex packaging has changed repeatedly over the decades to reflect changing trends and new features of the product; the one seen on this button is representative of Kleenex in 1936.   

See the Busy Button Museum’s other Kleenex packaging buttons from 1924, 1928, 1932, 1960, 1964, and 1968.