Uncle Sam

[Uncle_Sam]

While no one is actually sure of his origins, Uncle Sam has been with us since the early 1800s. In all likelihood, he was the hybrid of two different beginnings.

The name "Uncle Sam" appears to have been given to a man named Samuel Wilson, who slaughtered and supplied large amounts of meat to the newly formed United States Army. His shipping crates carried the stamp "U.S." which someone, jokingly, suggested stood for "Uncle Sam" Wilson, and this nickname came to symbolize the Federal Government.

While Sam Wilson may have been the source of the name "Uncle Sam," he was not the inspiration of the image. For one thing, Wilson was clean-shaven while the caricatures of Uncle Sam all show a man with a white beard. The creator of the image of Uncle Sam, as we know him, was Thomas Nast, a nineteenth century political cartoonist who started drawing the star-spangled red-white-and-blue-suited symbol of American identity.

Uncle Sam was not the only character Nast drew. His other character, dressed similarly, was "Brother Jonathan" or Yankee Doodle. The difference in the two characters was pronounced, though: Brother Jonathan always was depicted clean-shaven and with a feather in his cap; Uncle Sam always appeared with the beard and often with top hat.

Although first appearing in 1838 in the Nast illustrations, the most common image of the elder statesman of America is the World War I poster drawn by James Montgomery Flagg for Army Recruitment with the caption "I WANT YOU!"

No matter what Uncle Sam's roots may be, he has become a symbol, recognized throughout the world, of American resolve, strength and determination.


Best Regards,
Sam

[Bluehawk]

Wow... that is absolutely amazing history!

Thanks!

[cato2]

I have read about this many moons ago but still find it facinating. Thanks for the post Sam(Uncle )

[sfga6970]

A good bit of history, Sam. Here he is.




He actually got the name for supplying beef to the troops for the war of 1812. He was from Troy, NY and the town still has many historical sites and businesses named after him.