White text on a red white and blue button with blue stars and a black and white photograph of McGovern in the center.

An American historian and author, George McGovern was elected as a US Senator from South Dakota in 1962 after a previous failed bid in 1960. As one of the first politicians to speak out publicly against America's growing involvement in Vietnam, McGovern would become most known in the Senate for his outspoken opposition to the Vietnam War. McGovern's platform during his 1972 presidential campaign included a comprehensive plan to end the war in Vietnam, a substantial cut in federal defense spending, and a "demogrant" program—which sought to replace inflated welfare bureaucracies with a pledge to give every American citizen $1,000. Although McGovern captured the votes of activists and reform liberals, his opponent, Republican incumbent Richard Nixon, managed to defeat McGovern in one of the biggest landslides in American history.

Red button with white text. The "O" in McGovern is the Venus symbol with an "=" sign in the middle. 

An American historian and author, George McGovern was elected as a US Senator from South Dakota in 1962 after a previous failed bid in 1960. As one of the first politicians to speak out publicly against America's growing involvement in Vietnam, McGovern would become most known in the Senate for his outspoken opposition to the Vietnam War. McGovern's platform during his 1972 presidential campaign included a comprehensive plan to end the war in Vietnam, a substantial cut in federal defense spending, and a "demogrant" program—which sought to replace inflated welfare bureaucracies with a pledge to give every American citizen $1,000. Although McGovern captured the votes of activists and reform liberals, his opponent, Republican incumbent Richard Nixon, managed to defeat McGovern in one of the biggest landslides in American history.

On this button, the “o” in “McGovern” is replaced with the symbol of supporters of the Equal Rights Amendment, a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would ensure equal rights for women. The platform of McGovern’s 1972 presidential bid included support for the amendment.

A photograph of Jessie Jackson is above red text on a white button. 

Jesse Jackson ran for the Democratic nomination for President in 1984 and 1988 and was the second African American man to run, but the first viable African American candidate. He was active in the Civil Rights movement and worked for SCLC with Martin Luther King, Jr.  In 1971, after leaving SCLC, he formed PUSH (People United to Serve Humanity) and in 1984 he formed the Rainbow Coalition to fight for civil rights for minorities, women, and homosexuals. These two groups became his political base and were merged in 1996.

Black button with orange and black text and an orange stripe. 

Elmer J. Hoffman was elected Illinois State Treasurer in 1952 and reelected in 1956. Hoffman went on to serve three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1959-1965. He used the slogan, "I'm Fer Elmer", for all of his campaigns. This button is likely from one of his Congressional campaigns.

In 1967, Elmer Johnson ran for mayor of Wheaton, Illinois using the same slogan. Hoffman, who was also residing in Wheaton at the time, did not approve of Johnson's use of the slogan and publicly spoke out against it.

Blue button with orange text and orange elephant Republican symbol. 

This button is likely from a campaign of Timothy M. Hensel, a Republican from Indiana. In 2002, he ran for a seat on the Clay Township Board in Hamilton County, Indiana. In 2006, he was elected as the Lady Hamilton Precinct Committeeman for the Republican party.

Neon Orange with black text (in simplified Chinese).

This button translates  to “Good people need Carter.” As part of Jimmy Carter’s 1976 presidential campaign, buttons like this were minted in several languages.

Neon orange button with black text in Italian reading "Good people need Carter."

This button translates from Italian to “Good people need Carter”. As part of Jimmy Carter’s 1976 campaign, buttons like this were minted in several languages.

Black and white picture of Eleanor Roosevelt's smiling face with white text on a blue border

Eleanor Roosevelt was First Lady of the United States from 1933 until her husband, Franklin Delano Roosevelt's, death is 1945. While First Lady, she traveled and reported to her husband and his advisers about living and working conditions in the country, something no First Lady had ever done before. She also became an advocate for programs to alleviate the suffering of the Great Depression and for Civil Rights for African Americans, thereby changing the role of the First Lady forever. 

After her husband's death, Eleanor Roosevelt was appointed to the United Nations by President Truman, who called her the "First Lady of the World" because of her lifelong dedication to human rights. As chair of the UN Human Rights Commission she helped draft the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. After she left the UN in 1953 she continued her humanitarian work with the Peace Corps and The President's Commission on the Status of Women in the 1960s and she was re-appointed to the UN by President Kennedy in 1961.

Blue and red text on white background.

There were attempts to draft Ted Kennedy to run for Vice President in 1968 after Bobby Kennedy's death and for President in 1972 and 1976. In all three elections he stated clearly that he would not accept a nomination if it were given to him. In 1980 he agreed to run in the Democratic primary after a large "draft Kennedy" campaign, but he lost to Carter. This button is probably from the 1972 election and references Ted Kennedy's opposition to the draft policies which allowed deferments for people who could afford to go to College and his support of amnesty for draft dodgers. 

Dark blue text on a white button

Thomas E. Dewey was a New York attorney who targeted organized crime and had a reputation for integrity and hard work. As Governor of New York (1942-1954) he passed laws banning job discrimination based on race or religion and increased benefits. He ran for President in 1944 and 1948 for the Republican party. This button is from his 1948 campaign against Harry Truman. Dewey represented liberal Eastern Republicans. He seemed likely to win from the beginning and he did not make many campaign speeches or take a strong stance on controversial issues. Dewey's election to the Presidency seemed so sure that the Chicago Tribune ran an early edition with the headline "Dewey Defeats Truman" before all the votes were counted.  Against all expectations Truman won the election and remained President.