Red text on a white background

The energy crisis that plagued the U.S. during the 1970s were most visible at the fuel pump due to the fact that the major industrial countries of the world faced substantial petroleum shortages and elevated prices. Events in the Middle East triggered the cease of oil exports to the U.S. for a brief time and electricity bills skyrocketed. President Nixon tried to urge the country to conserve resources and develop new sources of energy.  As energy prices increased and technological progress failed to mitigate the higher prices, customers quickly became disenchanted with the utility system. The average customer paid almost double in 1977 what they paid in 1969 for electricity. The slogan of “Turn off the lights!” was a call for conservation, both in energy and money.

Illustration of a yellow tree with green text on it on a green background

Forest conservation has been a serious and contentious topic for most of the United States’ history. Early colonists and frontiersmen discovered a vast range of timber from coast to coast, estimated to be around 950 million acres. Over-exploitation of this seemingly limitless resource led to increasing concerns by the late 1800s, especially due to rapid industrial forest clearing. Presidents Benjamin Harrison and Theodore Roosevelt set aside large tracts of public land for conservation, through the creation of the National Parks and National Forests systems. 

A new wave of conservation efforts began in the 20th century after the damaging effects of climate change were becoming apparent. In 1970, the Environmental Protection Agency was founded and the first Earth Day occurred; the holiday continues to be celebrated every year as a way to spread awareness about climate concerns. As of 2023, only approximately two-thirds of the forest lands originally documented by early colonists are left in the United States.

White text on a red background

Marijuana use has been a contentious topic in the United States since the early 20th century. Marijuana initially became popular among Mexican refugees and the Black jazz community from the 1910s to 1930s, and thus much of the government pushback was mired in racism. Despite new leniency and an explosion of popularity during the 1960s and 1970s, the War on Drugs in the 1980s heavily criminalized drug offenders, including those using marijuana. However, after research suggested positive benefits the drug had on patients impacted by cancer and AIDS, a major shift in public perception occurred. Some medications derived from marijuana are FDA approved for treatment of cancer, AIDS, and epilepsy.

As of 2023, marijuana laws in the U.S. are complicated: though it is still illegal federal, it is legal for both medical and recreational use in many states.

White text over an illustration of a crown with rays coming out of the top on a blue background

The crown has long been used in Christian symbolism to show the reward of Heaven. The phrase, “Make Christ King,” was used for a Gospel hymn book in 1912, published by Glad Tidings Publishing of Chicago. One its editors was Dr. H. W. Stough, minister to Ernest Hemingway’s parents. Make Christ King seems to have been very popular around 1915 for Protestent revival services. The prolific use of it led to the “New Make Christ King” and “Make Christ King Combined” hymnals, or songbooks. The phrase is still used in religious services and marketing today.

Illustration of a yellow flower with a brown center that has white text on it and black text around its outer edge. The flower petals have black text on them. All on a black background

The image of the sunflower on this button directly correlates with Kansas being known as the “Sunflower State”. The Kansas State Board of Health was created in 1885 and was the predecessor agency to the Kansas State Department of Health. When the Board was first established it consisted of nine physicians, each a graduate of a medical college who had at least seven years of continuous practice in their profession. The physicians were appointed by the governor from all parts of the state for three-year terms and in 1908, a non-medical member was added. The use of the name Board of Health was abolished in 1974 when the Department of Health was renamed to the current Department of Health and Environment. The text on the petals of the sunflower represents the different areas of health for which the Board provided care and advice.

Black text on an orange background

Impeachment is a process in which a public official is accused of unlawful activity and may be removed from office if he is found guilty. In the U.S. federal government, the House of Representatives have to sole power to impeach while the Senate will try any impeachment hearing. Two U.S. presidents have been impeached: Andrew Johnson for violating the Tenure of Office Act and Bill Clinton for perjury and obstruction of justice. Both were acquitted by the Senate.

White text on a red background

The first automotive seat belts were patented in the late 19th century for use in New York City taxi cabs. Originally meant to keep the driver and passengers from sliding around in their seats, seat belts for safety from accidents weren't a concern until the 1930s. Physicians across the country began to urge auto manufacturers to provide lap seat belts in all cars. The three-point seat belt was invented in 1958; Swedish carmaker Volvo was the first to implement a simple and effective design. By the late 1960s, all American vehicles were required to provide seat belts; however, getting people to wear them was difficult. 

Despite scientific research in the 1940s and 1950s, the use of seat belts aroused heated debate. Many felt it should be up to the individual to decide to use a seat belt. The National Ad Council ran advertisements for decades encouraging divers to "Buckle Up." It took over thirty years for seat belt laws to be enacted across all fifty states. Slogans like "I wear my seat belt," showed support for safety and promoted the use of seat belts.

Click here to see another version of this button held by the museum

White text and an illustration of the Statue of Liberty on a blue inner circle surrounded by a red outer ring

Liberty bonds were issued by the United States Treasury during the First World War to help finance the war effort. The first Liberty Bond Act was passed in 1917. When Americans on the home front bought a liberty bond, they were encouraged to wear a button to show their contribution to the war effort.

White text on a red background with a decorative edge with an outer white edge of the button

Have info on this button? Contact us here.

Black text on a bright pink background

The slogan on this button is a variation on a slogan that appeared on buttons and posters that were distributed during the famous March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay, and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation that took place in D.C. on April 25, 1993. It is estimated that 1 million people attended the March. Between the 1987 March on Washington and the early 1990s, LGBT people achieved much more mainstream visibility than they had in the past. The LGBT community still faced widespread discrimination, through such policies as Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and rising instances of targeted hate crimes.