"On Sept. 13, the U.S. recognizes Uncle Sam Day to commemorate Sam Wilson, the man behind the iconic image and fascinating nickname for the United States government who was born on Sept. 13, 1766. The image of Uncle Sam as a personification of our nation and government is widespread and instantly recognizable. The first symbol to have such significance was Columbia, a female figure (the name is derived from Christopher Columbus) and is still an often-used symbol of our country through the early 20th century."
"It's a bit of a legend, but Uncle Sam is believed to be named after Samuel Wilson. Wilson served as a member of the Continental Army when he was a teen. Wilson went on to own a meat packing company that secured a contract to supply the U.S. troops in the War of 1812 with pork and beef barrels. Wilson became the meat inspector for the U.S. Army."
"The look Famous editorial cartoonist Thomas Nast didn't originate the concept of Uncle Sam but he did create the modern image. He drew the character as a thin, tall long white hair and goatee with striped pants and the symbol stuck. Nast was a German-born American editorial cartoonist often considered to be the Father of the American Cartoon. He was most prolific in the 1860s to 1880s. He opposed slavery during the Civil War."
Uncle Sam serves as the personification of the United States government and is commemorated on Sept. 13 for Samuel Wilson, who was born in 1766. Columbia preceded Uncle Sam as a national symbol, appearing in 1738 as a female figure and lending her name to the District of Columbia. The Uncle Sam nickname likely arose from Samuel Wilson, a former Continental Army member whose meatpacking business supplied troops in the War of 1812 and whose barrels stamped 'U.S.' led soldiers to reference 'Uncle Sam.' Popular use of the figure grew after the War of 1812, and Thomas Nast later established the modern visual portrayal.
Read at www.ocregister.com
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