This Vietnam Summer “Guide to Fund Raising” represents an artifact of grassroots organizing during the Vietnam War era. Published by the Vietnam Summer organization based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, this practical manual reveals the sophisticated fundraising and organizing strategies employed by the anti-war movement of the…

This 1951 “Public Relations Manual for Exploiting Russian Horrors” represents a fascinating artifact of Cold War propaganda and entertainment, blending anti-communist messaging with theatrical showmanship. Published by Melrose Productions, this promotional guide reveals how early Cold War fears were commodified and packaged for public consumption.…

This bilingual document titled “Restoring Peace in Vietnam/Lập Lại Hòa Bình Tại Việt-Nam” represents a critical artifact of protest’s ultimate aim – the achievement of peace through negotiation. Published in both English and Vietnamese in January 1973, this government publication marks the formal end of…

This is the first edition of the John Birch Society Blue Book, a seminal text in the history of American conservative activism. This copy (see gallery at the bottom of the page), once owned by the father of John Birch, includes his handwritten name, phone…

This striking protest handbill announces “The Gay Parade” on Christopher Street West, representing a significant moment in LGBTQ+ activism. The bold black and white design combines portraiture, geometric patterns, and Art Deco typography to create a powerful statement of visibility and pride. Visual Design The…

This powerful anti-war pamphlet titled “MURDER vs. CONSCIENCE” from the War Resisters League represents a crucial moment in American peace activism, likely published around 1939-1940 as Europe descended into World War II. The document presents a stark moral choice to potential conscripts while providing practical…

This powerful protest poster from the early 1970s combines stark imagery and bold design to promote the “Attica Brigade” anti-war march. The poster’s dramatic composition links the Attica prison uprising with broader anti-war activism through its striking two-color design and symbolic imagery. Visual Design The…

This powerful 1970s protest poster, photographed by Russell Smith, represents a significant moment in the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement. The stark black and white portrait and minimalist design embody both artistic sophistication and political purpose, while promoting an organization dedicated to fostering racial unity and…

This striking anti-Vietnam War protest poster from 1972 demonstrates the evolution of the peace movement’s visual and rhetorical strategies. Printed in bold purple text on white paper, it announces protests in San Francisco to match concurrent events in Washington D.C., reflecting the nationwide scope of…

This 1969 Department of State document titled “Why We Fight in Viet-Nam” represents a critical piece of government propaganda that sought to justify American military involvement in Vietnam. Released through the Bureau of Public Affairs, this document reveals the official narrative and rhetorical strategies used…

This Department of State press release titled “Opposition on Moral Grounds to United States Policy in Viet-Nam” represents a critical piece of government communication during a pivotal moment in the Vietnam War. The document, issued through the Bureau of Public Affairs, reveals the complex rhetorical…

This Department of State press release from 1970 represents a critical moment in U.S. government communication during the Vietnam War, specifically addressing the My Lai massacre. The document’s official presentation, complete with the Department of State seal and “Public Information Series” header, lends it institutional…