The Story of America - Who is Uncle Sam?
We looked it up in Funk and Wagnalls Encyclopedia and hear is there story.
Nickname and cartoon image used to personify the United States government, deriving from the initials "U.S." and first popularized on supply containers during the War of 1812. In its early usage it was applied derogatorily to customhouse officiers and to soldiers. The first visual representation or caricature of an Uncle Sam figure, suited in stars and stripes, appeared in a series of political cartoons in 1832. The character came to be seen as a shrewd Yankeee, possibly after the traits of a chaacter, Brother Jonanthan, in the play The Contrast (1787) by American jurist and playwright Royall Tyler (1757-1826). In the 20th. Century Uncle Sam has usually been depicted with a short beard, high hat, and tailed coat. In 1961 the United States Congress officially adopted the figure as a national symbol.
As we approach July 4, 2009 let us think about what makes Our Country Great!.....The freedom to be whoever you want to be....God Bless America!