Character of the Week: Uncle Sam

Uncle Sam

For almost 200 years, “Uncle Sam” has symbolized the United States of America and the federal government.  His name and image evoke feelings of national pride, patriotism, and loyalty to country.  He is seen as the personification of America and is an internationally known emblem.

No one is entirely sure of the origins of Uncle Sam.  Folklore describes a man named Samuel Wilson who worked in the meat packing industry in Troy, New York in the early 1800’s.  Supposedly, he was known as “Uncle Sam” to friends and family because of his sense of humor and jovial nature.  During the War of 1812, Sam received a government contract to supply barrels of meat to the American soldiers stationed Upstate.  The sides of the barrels had “U.S.” stamped on them, and it has been said that the soldiers believed the initials stood for “Uncle Sam” (Wilson).  Also suggested is that by supplying the soldiers’ rations, Uncle Sam came to symbolize the US federal government, and from there, the country itself.

The story of Uncle Sam traveled, and as early as 1838, political artists and cartoonists worked on creating the appearance of Uncle Sam.  Thomas Nast was one of the most famous to create political cartoons with Uncle Sam.  Uncle Sam was portrayed as an older man with white hair and a goatee or beard.  He wore a top hat with a blue band with white stars around it and a blue overcoat with striped trousers of red and white.

Although cartoon artists were drawing Uncle Sam in the mid 19th century, it was the illustrator James Montgomery Flagg that got the credit of creating the illustration of Uncle Sam that we all know today.  On July 6, 1916, “Leslie’s Weekly” published Flagg’s illustration of Uncle Sam on the cover of the magazine with the caption, “What Are You Doing for Preparedness?”  After this publication, Flagg’s illustration of Uncle Sam was used in military recruitment posters with the famous slogan, “I Want You For U.S. Army.”

It has been said that Flagg used his own face as the face of Uncle Sam.  Also, he used a British recruitment poster as inspiration.  The British recruitment poster shows Lord Kitchener pointing at the viewer with the words “Britons Wants You, Join Your Country’s Army!  God Save The King.”  Over 4 million copies of the Uncle Sam poster were printed from 1917 – 1918.  It was again used for recruiting during World War II.

Besides being on posters, Uncle Sam has been featured in other media outlets.  In 1940, Uncle Sam appeared in Quality Comics’ “National Comics.”  His character was depicted as the spirit of a Revolutionary War soldier who comes to the aid of his country whenever necessary.  His character was seen in comics from 1940 – 1944 and he even received his own comic book series, “Uncle Sam Quarterly.”  When DC Comics acquired National Comics, they used the Uncle Sam character as the leader of the “Freedom Fighters” in the 1970s comic book series, “Justice League of America.”

Besides comic books and political cartoons, Uncle Sam has been seen in movies, he has been used in music album art, and his image has even been used in professional sports.  The New York Yankees use Uncle Sam’s hat to bring a patriotic spirit to the team’s logo.  The cartoons and comics are now sold as collector’s pieces, along with posters and various other Uncle Sam items.  Other merchandise, such as signs and figures has also been produced throughout the years.

Although it has not been conclusively proven that Sam Wilson is the original Uncle Sam, in 1961 Congress adopted a resolution that recognized “Sam Wilson of Troy, New York, as the progenitor of America’s National symbol of Uncle Sam.”  Monuments have been erected at his birthplace in Arlington, Massachusetts, his boyhood home in Mason, NH, and his burial site in Troy, NY.

Uncle Sam is a powerful national symbol and patriotic emblem.  He symbolizes the freedom we as Americans enjoy, and the hard work the military does for us to enjoy that freedom.  He demands respect for the government and loyalty to our country.

Uncle Sam has been around for over 170 years, and shows no signs of leaving.  For your very own piece of American history, check out our website for signs and posters featuring Uncle Sam.