Summary

Alternative Name(s): Button

This badge was used in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, circa 1979 - 1986. It was a part of collection of buttons assembled by donor while active in left-wing politics at University of Melbourne 1979 - 86.

The inscription might refer to the series of military tests carried out by the U.S. on Bikini Atoll between 1946 and 1958. These were the first nuclear blasts since the bombings of Nagasaki in 1945 and they were employed to test the effect of nuclear weapons on warships. The tests rendered the island unfit for living so the residents had to relocate. Protests against the the programme were limited at the time, but the opposition grew stronger in the 1980s with the Nuclear Free Pacific Movement and the protests against French nuclear testing that was also taking place in the area.

Physical Description

Small metal badge, virtually square, enamelled in white and red. Clasp on back secured by welded metal. Front shows stylized nuclear explosion composed of a spherical pattern (silver) highlighted in red. White background; silver text.

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