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Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, Inc. Lapel Tab
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, Inc. Lapel Tab

Object numberMO 1976.5.26
Name Button, Promotional
Maker (American, founded 1895)
Date1942
Mediumpaint on metal (tin)
Dimensionsoverall H 1 3/8 in x W 7/8 in (3.5 cm x 2.2 cm )
DescriptionAn unused round lapel tab. The tab has a white background, red border, and white, blue, and red text. At the center is a blue diamond and the text: Celebrate / Our President's / Diamond Jubilee / Birthday / JOIN THE MARCH / OF DIMES. Around the edge of the piece is the text: THE NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR INFANTILE PARALYSIS INC. The manufacturer's information is printed on the tab.
Label TextThis March of Dimes lapel tab was issued by the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis to celebrate FDR’s Diamond Jubilee Birthday. Diamond Jubilee Birthday Balls held around the nation in 1942 honored President Roosevelt on his 60th birthday and raised funds to combat polio.

FDR created the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis (which became known as the March of Dimes) in 1938 to support the polio rehabilitation center he had established in Warm Springs, Georgia and aid polio victims around the nation. The Foundation urged Americans to send their loose change to the President in a “march of dimes.” The March of Dimes supported the research and development of a polio vaccine by Jonas Salk in 1955 that eradicated the disease throughout most of the world.

This lapel tab is on display in THE MARCH OF DIMES AND FDR exhibit in the Museum’s FOUNDATIONS OF A PUBLIC LIFE gallery.

Additional Details
Credit LineGift of Edwin Hart
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGift Items and Commemorative Artifacts (National Archives Identifier 782690)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - PossiblyCopyrightCopyright or other proprietary rights may be held by individuals or entities other than the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
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