Uncle Sam History

Did you know that the nickname "Uncle Sam" came from a meat packer in New York, who supplied meat to the U.S. troops during the War of 1812? The shipments were marked "U.S.", for "United States", but the soldiers began referring to them as shipments from "Uncle Sam".

Fun Facts about Uncle Sam

Thomas Nast, a political cartoonist, started using images of an "Uncle Sam" in the late 1860's/early 1870's. The image he eventually used was one of an old man with white beard. He wore a stars and stripes suite

Artist James Montgomery Flagg is credited with developing the image into the one that is so familiar today - the one with the blue coat, top hat and pointing finger. It was this image that the U.S. army used for recruiting posters during World War I - the familiar Uncle Sam - I Want You - Poster.

In September 1961, the U.S. Congress recognized Samuel Wilson as "the progenitor of America's national symbol of Uncle Sam.

Prior to "Uncle Sam", a popular character used to reference the United States in cartoons was a character named Brother Jonathan. He can be seen in political cartoons, dressed similarly to Uncle Sam. You can see one of these characterizations in the January 11, 1862 Harper's Weekly cartoon.

To read more about Uncle Sam, you might enjoy Uncle Sam & Old Glory : Symbols of America

How about dressing up as Uncle Sam for Halloween this year? You can find lots of great costumes on Amazon!

Quote of the Week

"The more government takes in taxes, the less incentive people have to work. What coal miner or assembly-line worker jumps at the offer of overtime when he knows Uncle Sam is going to take 60 percent or more of his extra pay?" - Ronald Reagan

The More Government Takes in Taxes... Reagan
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Julie

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American History Fun Facts

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