Legends of America
Uncle Sam, 1898
Based on a real man named Samuel Wilson of Troy, New York, the national character got its start in 1812, when Wilson provided the army with beef and pork. Distributed in large barrels, labeled “U.S.,” the troops would often joke that the letters stood for "Uncle Sam.” Before long, the term stuck and referred to both the United States and the federal government. “Uncle Sam,” first appeared in character form in an illustration in 1852 and was furthered by political cartoonist Thomas Nast. The most famous image; however, was created by artist James Montgomery Flagg in 1916, just prior to US involvement in World War I. This popular image depicted Uncle Sam pointing his finger at the viewer and declaring, "I want you" on a recruiting poster for the U.S. Army. Photo by Joseph Randall Blanchard in 1898.
Uncle Sam, 1898
Based on a real man named Samuel Wilson of Troy, New York, the national character got its start in 1812, when Wilson provided the army with beef and pork. Distributed in large barrels, labeled “U.S.,” the troops would often joke that the letters stood for "Uncle Sam.” Before long, the term stuck and referred to both the United States and the federal government. “Uncle Sam,” first appeared in character form in an illustration in 1852 and was furthered by political cartoonist Thomas Nast. The most famous image; however, was created by artist James Montgomery Flagg in 1916, just prior to US involvement in World War I. This popular image depicted Uncle Sam pointing his finger at the viewer and declaring, "I want you" on a recruiting poster for the U.S. Army. Photo by Joseph Randall Blanchard in 1898.