Uncle Sam: An American National Symbol

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Uncle Sam - The Personification of America

Uncle Sam is a National Symbol. He is the personification of America itself. Wearing his finest red white and blue suit adorned in elements from the American flag - the stars and the stripes, Uncle Sam is an image of patriotism. But, where did this character come from? Who was Uncle Sam?

Who Was Uncle Sam? 

Samuel Wilson (1766-1854)

Samuel Wilson (1766-1854) was born in Arlington, Massachusetts, then known as Menotomy. He grew up in Mason, New Hampshire, and in 1778 he and his brother Ebeneezer moved to Troy NY, to start a business in the meat-packing industry.

During the War of 1812, Sam Wilson obtained a contract to supply beef to the Army in its campaign further north. He shipped the meat in barrels branded with the initials "U.S." as they were government property. The soldiers and the teamsters took to joking that the initials referred to their "Uncle Sam," and over time, everything marked with "U.S." was linked with Uncle Sam. As much Army property these markings, Uncle Sam became synonymous with the United States itself. All supplies from the United States government were said to come from Uncle Sam.

Personification of America 

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The Most Familiar Picture of Uncle Sam 

J. M. Flagg's 1917 Poster

I Want You for the U.S. ArmyJ. M. Flagg's 1917 poster used to recruit soldiers for both World War I and World War II defined the classic look of Uncle Sam, with a white goatee and dressed in his patriotic suit and top hat. Flagg used himself as the model for the picture's face, so as to save money on a modeling fee, and Veteran Walter Botts stood for the pose.

Flaggs poster was based on the original British Lord Kitchener by Alfred Leeze poster from three years earlier. Its popularity has caused the picture to me altered and parodied hundreds of times since.Your Country Needs You, Featuring Lord Kitchener




Smokey Bear - Only YouYou've Got What It Takes, Soldier, Now Take Care of What You've Got!Navy! Uncle Sam is Calling You, c.1917

America Is My Home 

The Story of Uncle Sam - the Myth, the Man and the Acronym

America Is My Home: The Story of Uncle Sam - the Myth, the Man and the Acronym

Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 12/23/2009)Buy Now

The image of Uncle Sam is recognized in the U.S. and abroad as the star-spangled, finger-pointing, authoritative spokesman for American interests and democratic ideals. Although first a cartoon, then myth, man and icon, the Uncle Sam in this book transforms the National Symbol into a powerful acronym which unites Americans into a common cause - freedom of responsible choice.

Uncle Sam Collectibles 

Uncle Sam collections display a fascinating variety and evolution of the Uncle Sam Image.

The Foremost Guide to Uncle Sam Collectibles

Amazon Price: (as of 12/23/2009) Buy Now

Parade Uncle Sams 

Uncle Sam is a must-have at any patriotic parade.

Greensboro Uncle SAM by jarnocan

another nice Uncle Sam by jarnocan

Uncle Sam and Snoopy by tinyfroglet

Uncle Sam and Abe by Jeff Kubina

20050703-130024 by RBerteig

Uncle Sam by Ben+Sam

Uncle Sam by Olaf

curated content from Flickr

Patriotic Costumes 

Great Uncle Sam Sites 

Uncle Sam Image Gallery--Contents
Uncle Sam -- pictures and historical information about an American legend.
Trace Uncle Sam's Roots
"Uncle Sam" Wilson's geneology
The Straight Dope: What's the origin of Uncle Sam?
The Straight Dope: What's the origin of Uncle Sam?
Uncle Sam Parade - Troy NY
The Uncle Sam Parade in his home town, Troy, NY.
Uncle Sam - TIME.com
(May 11, 1931) The lineage of Uncle Sam, benign personification of the nation, was again raised last week. Was this lean Yankee character...
Biography of Uncle Sam
The story of how Samuel Wilson inspired the character known as Uncle Sam.

Uncle Sam Interacts With Others 

Being the personification of America, Uncle Sam is often portrayed interacting with personifications of other countries.
Side by Side, BritanniaJohn Bull Uncle Sam Intervenes in MexicoUncle Sam Takes a Puff at Spain's Havana CigarStar Weekly: Ally ArtilleryPershing in France, Berlin or Bust!

More On Uncle Sam 

Category: File - :Unclesamwantyou.jpg|right|thumb|J. M. Flagg's 1917 poster, based on the original British Lord Kitchener poster of three years earlier, was used to recruit soldiers for both World War I and World War II. Flagg used a modified version of his own face for Uncle Sam, and veteran Walter Botts provided the pose.

Uncle Sam is the national personification of the United States and sometimes more specifically of the American government, with the first usage of the term dating from the War of 1812. He is depicted as a serious elderly white man with white hair and a goatee beard, and dressed in clothing that recalls the design elements of flag of the United States—for example, typically a top hat with red and white stripes and white stars on a blue band, and red and white striped trousers.

Uncle Sam Images 

Vintage push and pull Uncle Sam "Advertising" by riptheskull

Vintage Ad

Uncle Sam by williac

Uncle Sam Graffiti

Uncle Sam is Broke by Infrogmation

Reeve088266-5 by otisarchives2

Comeback December 4, 1918 - first edition by otisarchives3

Why, Uncle Sam!  1917 poster by bobster855

Vintage 4th of July Postcard by riptheskull

Poster, ca 1918 by bobster855

curated content from Flickr

Flagg's Portrayal of Uncle Sam Resembles both Andrew Jackson and Abe Lincoln

Children's Books 

Teach your children about Uncle Sam and other icons of America with one of these great books.

Uncle Sam & Old Glory : Symbols of America

Amazon Price: $14.03 (as of 12/23/2009) Buy Now

O, Say Can You See?: America's Symbols, Landmarks, and Inspiring Words

Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 12/23/2009) Buy Now

American Symbols (Chester the Crab's Comics with Content Series)

Amazon Price: $6.95 (as of 12/23/2009) Buy Now

Uncle Sam (Symbols of America)

Amazon Price: $3.93 (as of 12/23/2009) Buy Now

Uncle Sam: Press-Out and Play Book

Amazon Price: $7.95 (as of 12/23/2009) Buy Now

Uncle Sam Guestbook 

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