Illustration of a red origami crane

While the origins of this particular button are unknown, the paper crane (or "orizuru") is the most popular design of the Japanese origami (paper folding) tradition. The paper crane represents the Japanese red-crowned crane, significant in Japanese culture. Paper-folding traditions began with ceremonial use at weddings and funerals, and some designs were attached to gifts as greeting cards are today.Origami is now often used as a form of recreation and entertainment, and many books on origami techniques have been published for anyone to learn the craft. 

Illustration of a glowing outline of a heart shape

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Black and white photograph of a woman

Photographic pinback buttons made with celluloid material were extremely popular from the late 1800s to the 1930s.  It was during the 1860s that photography became more available on the commercial market. Humphrey E. Copley of Connecticut sought a patent in 1861 to incorporate photographs onto buttons by utilizing a metal rim to hold the photograph in place. This technology coincided with the Civil War and mourners embraced the option of being able to wear visual representations of their loved ones. John Wesley Hyatt was an American inventor who received a patent for a product named celluloid in 1870. After refinement of the initial product, Hyatt’s celluloid became the first commercially profitable synthetic material. United States patent records reflect the usage of celluloid in making buttons with photographs in the late 1880s. In 1893 Benjamin S. Whitehead acquired a patent for using celluloid over the photo to protect the image. The increased availability of photography coupled with the ability of manufacturers to produce buttons inexpensively allowed the public to create a fashion fad out of the desire to have portable keepsakes.  

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Black and white photograph of a man wearing a suit

Photographic pinback buttons made with celluloid material were extremely popular from the late 1800s to the 1930s.  It was during the 1860s that photography became more available on the commercial market. Humphrey E. Copley of Connecticut sought a patent in 1861 to incorporate photographs onto buttons by utilizing a metal rim to hold the photograph in place. This technology coincided with the Civil War and mourners embraced the option of being able to wear visual representations of their loved ones. John Wesley Hyatt was an American inventor who received a patent for a product named celluloid in 1870. After refinement of the initial product, Hyatt’s celluloid became the first commercially profitable synthetic material. United States patent records reflect the usage of celluloid in making buttons with photographs in the late 1880s. In 1893 Benjamin S. Whitehead acquired a patent for using celluloid over the photo to protect the image. The increased availability of photography coupled with the ability of manufacturers to produce buttons inexpensively allowed the public to create a fashion fad out of the desire to have portable keepsakes.  

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An illustration of an angry black and white cat that is showing its teeth. The cat is centered on the button and the background is white.

Norma was a prominent toy factory in Soviet Estonia, famous for its toy cars and pins. Major production took place between 1960 - 1980. The items made by Norma are now considered vintage collectable. The buttons were usually produced in sets, such as a set of animated characters, flowers, animals, etc. 

Black and white photograph of an owl

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White and red text on a blue background

In 2000 Al Gore, Vice President under Bill Clinton, campaigned for the presidency with running mate Joe Lieberman. Gore ran as a Democrat against George W. Bush. Gore's platform was pro-choice, earning the women's vote, advocated for gay rights, and endorsed tax cuts that would pay for education and health care. After controversy in Florida over a proposed re-count of the votes, Gore won the popular vote but did not become President because Bush won the electoral vote, the fourth presidential candidate in American history to do so. Afterwards Gore became well known for his environmental activism, most notably his book and film An Inconvenient Truth, for which he earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.

Al Gore. (n.d.). Retrieved December 15, 2015 from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Gore.

White and blue text on a red white and blue striped background with yellow stars above and below

National People’s Action (NPA) is a coalition of grassroots movements across 14 states. NPA was founded by Shel Trapp and Gale Cincotta in 1972. Through their vision, NPA’s “core purpose is to develop the ideas, talent and organizations that will help reclaim our democracy and advance racial and economic justice.” There are over 200 organizers across 14 states.

Color photograph of a man in uniform in front of an illustration of an American flag with red and blue outer rings with white text

Oliver Laurence “Ollie” North is a former United States Marine Corps lieutenant colonel, political commentator, military historian, author, and television host. During his time in the military, North was awarded a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, two purple hearts, marksmanship medals, and an array of other prestigious honors, making him appear as the all-American hero. However, his reputation came under scrutiny due to North’s involvement in the Iran-Contra scandal. The incident involved the sale of weapons to Iran to fund counter-revolutionaries against the Sandinistas in Central America. When the scandal broke, President Reagan dismissed North from the military. After his military career, North ran for the Senator of Virginia and lost. He went on appear in television programs and write best-sellers, his most famous being American Heroes.

Color photograph of four people in front of the capital with a green outer ring with white text

In 1992, Democrat candidate Bill Clinton ran for president against Incumbent President George H.W. Bush. He picked Al Gore as his running mate. Clinton won the election and became the 42nd President of the United States.

January 1993 was the first inauguration of Bill Clinton. "America's Reunion on the Mall" on the mall was an event held for two days as part of the Inaugural celebration. The event kicked off with an outdoor concert that featured Michael Jackson, Tony Bennett, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Michael Bolton, and LL Cool J. About one million people attended the event.