An illustration of a  shirtless man holding a plate above his head that supports several buildings. Behind the man is an illustration of the earth on a blue rectangle. Both illustrations are on a white background and are surrounded by red and black curved text. 

Held from 1933 to 1934, Chicago hosted the World’s Fair named “A Century of Progress International Exposition.”  The major theme was technological innovation.  Located over three and a half miles along Lake Michigan, the fairs buildings were a multitude of colors to create a “Rainbow City” contrasted with the “White City” of the World’s Columbian Exposition.  As the second World’s Fair hosted by Chicago, it was so successful it reopened for an extended period of time after its initial closing date in November of 1933.  Even despite the Great Depression almost 40 million people flocked to the exhibition.  

Green text on an orange background. 

This button is most likely associated with the Chicagoland Youth for Christ organization that began gaining momentum in the 1940s with America’s involvement in World War II. Christian leaders around the country saw a need to promote positive experiences to young adults and began weekly Youth for Christ rallies. The Chicago movement, led by pastor Torrey M. Johnson, was one of the largest and fastest growing. Chicagoland’s first Youth for Christ rally showcased Billy Graham on May 27th, 1944 speaking to a packed house in Orchestra Hall. The Chicago rallies continued and climaxed with the massive Chicagoland rally at Soldier Field on May 30, 1945 that drew tens of thousands of young people.

Red and blue text on a white background.

This is a button from Chicagoland Television Open House, a two week celebration that started on April 5th, 1948. The celebration was started by the first broadcast (a two-hour WGN-TV Salute to Chicago special) made by WGN-TV, a television station founded by the Chicago Tribune; the letters "WGN" were chosen because of the newspaper's slogan, "World's Greatest Newspaper." During the Open House, over 500 retailers invited people to view WGN-TV on the newest video receivers, often in comfortable "living rooms" inside the stores, to show how nicely televisions fit into home living spaces. 

Blue text on a yellow background. 

The Young Calvinist League, also known as the Young Calvinist Federation, is a youth ministry in Canada and the United States that formed in September 1919. The organization has its roots in the Christian Reformed Church in North America, but partners with other Christian denominations. In August 1950, the organization released a report calling for the establishment of educational and legislative programs that afforded African Americans rights and opportunities equal to those enjoyed by other members of society.

Green text in a curved formation on top and a stacked formation in the middle, both on a white background. 

The Young Calvinist League, also known as the Young Calvinist Federation, is a youth ministry in Canada and the United States that was formed in September 1919. The organization has its roots in the Christian Reformed Church in North America and partners with other Christian denominations. The American Federation of Reformed Young Women's Societies, which was founded in May 1932, merged into the Young Calvinist Federation in December 1955.

Large blue text in a stacked formation on a white background. 

Established in 1915 in Chicago to address the needs of African Americans migrating from the rural South to the cities in the North, it is an affiliate of the National Urban League.  Their mission is to promote “strong, sustainable communities through advocacy, collaboration and innovation.”  As one of the largest affiliates in the nation and with over nine decades of service to African Americans, other minorities and the poor, Chicago Urban League remains a leader in the Urban League movement.

Large red text inside a circle and smaller red text outside the circle in curved formation.  Everything sits against an orange background.

As noted in a Chicago Tribune article from January 23, 1932 the Chicago Taxicab Drivers Protective Association was formed when Checker cab drivers went on strike that year. The association was a committee that presented the driver’s grievances. In the end the cab drivers won all of the major points of the argument including that the newly formed protective association be recognized.

Large red text in a stacked formation on a white background. 

The Chicago Tavern Owners Association was a group affiliated with the National Licensed Beverage Association. In 1942, the Chicago Tavern Owners Association protested the City Council's ruling prohibiting women from drinking at bars.

Blue text on a white background. 

The Chicago Junior Scrappers are mentioned in a 1942 Chicago Tribune article about the need for scrap metal to reduce steel mill operations. The Chicago Junior Scrappers helped scrap dealers in large collections of scrap metals in Chicago. 

An illustration of the convention center building named McCormick Place on an orange background  with black text above and below the illustration. 

This is button from the Chicago International Trade Fair at the McCormick Place held in 1961 or a later year. The fair started July 25th and was held for 17 days. It had over 200 major exhibits from fifty foreign nations, two theaters, and an international aviation exhibit. The fair was previously held at Navy Pier.

The McCormick Place opened in 1961 and quickly showed its convention potential within the first 8 months it was open; it was large enough for the over 800,000 visitors to the International Trade Fair.