Great Council of Illinois pinback button with ribbon May 16-17, 1916 For Sale

The Great Council of Illinois pinback button with ribbon from May 16-17, 1916 is a historical collectible.The term \"Great Council of Illinois\" most commonly refers to historical conventions of the Improved Order of Red Men or the current Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of Illinois.Improved Order of Red Men (Historical)

• What it is: A patriotic, fraternal organization founded in Baltimore in 1834 that traced its symbolic traditions to pre-Revolutionary societies like the Sons of Liberty. [1]
• Great Council of Illinois: The state-level governing body and convention for the order in Illinois, which held large annual gatherings and group photographs in cities such as Springfield (1912), Jacksonville (1913), and Mattoon (1915). [1]
• History: The organization reached its peak membership around 1920 with over half a million members nationwide before declining. Historic convention artifacts and panoramic photos are preserved in collections like the University of Illinois Springfield Archives. [1]