Blue text on white background

In 1920 Congress passed the Eighteenth Amendment banning the sale, production, and transportation of alcohol in the United States. This desicion was a highly contentious issue. On the one hand, supporters of the ban heralded prohibition as a victory for public morality and health. On the other hand, however, the "wets," whose sentiments are voiced here on this button, saw it as an intrusion of middle class Protestant ideals on what was an important aspect of urban, immigrant, and Catholic everyday life. Congress reversed this decision in 1933 by passing the Twenty-first Amendment, which repealed prohibition.

Illustration of a blue house surrounded by blue border; white text on border with each word separated by a white star. 

The National Housing Act established the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) in 1934. It was meant to regulate interest rates and mortgage terms after the banking crisis of 1930s and to insure mortgages issued by qualified lenders, so the FHA covered the unpaid balances on mortgages. It also set standards for construction, underwriting, and insured loans made by banks and other private lenders. The program lead to stability in the housing market and the increased availability of funding for home building and purchasing. The program still exists today and its main purpose is to improve housing standards and conditions, provide adequate home financing, and to stabilize the mortgage market. A part of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, it is the only completely self-funded government agency. 

Orange background with thick blue border along edge; white text on blue portion; blue text on orange portion; white banner across middle with blue text

This button promotes the Oconomowoc-Milwaukee-Road Association in Wisconsin. The Association raised funds for the construction and improvement of the main highway in Waukesha County, Wisconsin. The highway was the main artery that connected Milwaukee County and Goerke’s Corner, which saw heavy traffic and needed repair. The project had strong start in 1912 and garnered many supporters and funding.  However, interest dwindled as years passed, and Waukesha County could not allocate enough funds to support the project.

Black open umbrella with white text above a white state of Ohio with black text on red background.

This button is advocating Prohibition law passage for the state of Ohio. The umbrella image and "safety first" is commonly used on Prohibition buttons. This button predated national Prohibition, which banned the sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcohol in the United States. 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.

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.