Illustration of half open blue umbrella with white text on it on a red background with a thin white outline near the edge.

The umbrella image and "safety first" is commonly used on Prohibition buttons. Prohibition was mandated in the US in 1920 by the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution and repealed in 1933 with the ratification of the Twenty-first Amendment.

Top half red, bottom half blue with white circle in middle; red, white, and blue shield graphic inside white circle; white text along border

Produced by the America First Committee (AFC), most likely a Chicago chapter, this button echoed the organization's simple, yet effective appeal to legislators, "Defend America First." Promulgated in September 1940 by Yale Law School student R. Douglas Stuart Jr., along with other students, the AFC snowballed into one of the foremost anti-war movements in American history—denouncing any and all forms of US involvement in World War II. Prior to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the AFC peaked with nearly 800,000 dues-paying members and included such prominent leaders as General Robert E. Wood, famed aviator Charles A. Lindbergh, as well as Senator Charles P. Nye. Geographically, Illinois became one of the leagues' strongholds with over 135,000 members and 60 chapters.

The AFC not only opposed direct US military involvement, but it also protested any and all forms of aid sent to Great Britain and Allied countries. They feared support would lead to direct military involvement. Although the AFC's effective campaign failed to stop the passage of the Lend-Lease Act or halt the repeal of the Neutrality Act, the organization's pressure upon Congress and the White House may have potentially saved thousands of American lives. 

White text on red background with gold outer rim.

Hotel Employees & Restaurant Employees International Union, also known as Unite Here, represents workers in the hospitality, gaming, food service, manufacturing, textile, laundry, and airport industries. Local 122 is the local chapter of the union for members in the Milwaukee, Ozaukee, and Washington counties in Wisconsin. 

White seal with car and two clasped hands, black text on red background with white dots. Black text on gold outer rim.

The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, best known as the United Auto Workers (UAW), is an American labor union which originally represented workers in the autos and auto parts industries, but now includes industries such as health care, casino gaming and higher education.

The top half of the button is orange with white text and the bottom half of the button green with white text. A thick white horizontal line divides the two.

The American Federation of Railroad Workers (AFRW) was officially formed in 1915 with a membership of 9,000. The AFRW began as a union within the American Federation of Labor (AFL) called the International Association of Car Workers (IACW). Difficulties arose over jurisdiction between the IACW and the Brotherhood Railway Carmen of America. The AFL order the two groups combine making the AFRW. As other unions merged or dispersed over time the membership of the AFRW fluctuated.

In the early part of the 20th century the AFRW rallied against the monopolization of the railroad by Vanderbilt, Harriman and, Morgan among others. In 1930 the AFRW along with 26 other railroad organizations limited their ranks only to white men, but this changed as the AFL become more liberalized in membership. 

White seal with car and two clasped hands, black text on purple background with white dots. Black text on orange outer rim.

The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, best known as the United Auto Workers (UAW), is an American labor union which originally represented workers in the autos and auto parts industries, but now includes industries such as health care, casino gaming and higher education.

Black text, two union bugs, and white seal with horses on purple background. Black text on yellow outer rim. 

Local chapter of American Federation Of Labor & Congress Of Industrial Organizations in Racine, Wisconsin. The American Federation of Labor was one of the first labor unions in the U.S., founded in Columbus, OH in 1886. It was also the largest labor union in the first half of the 20th century. After merging with the Congress of Industrial Unions it has become the longest lasting labor federation in the country. 

Silver can with white label, red text on white label. White background with blue around edges

Have info on this button? Contact us here.

Red cross on white background

The American Red Cross was founded by Clara Barton and a group of her acquaintances in Washington, D.C. in 1881. It is dedicated to helping people in need throughout the United States and, in association with other Red Cross networks, throughout the world. The organization accepts contributions of time, blood, and money to support lifesaving services and programs.

Teal peace sign on white background

The peace sign was originally created in 1958 by Gerald Holtom for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. Inspired partly by semaphore flag signals for "N" and "D" (Nuclear Disarmament), Holtom sketched the symbol several times in preparation for the upcoming protests. Afterward the symbol was adopted by the American Student Peace Union in the 1960s, it grew to become the iconic symbol that we know today. Holtom passed away in 1985, and his collection of sketches was donated to the Commonweal Collection at the University of Bradford.