Uncle Sam

Uncle Sam, a common national personification of the federal government of the United States or the country in general, has been around since the War of 1812. While the character's origins are obscure, one legend says he was named for Samuel Wilson, a meatpacker who supplied beef to the troops. Uncle Sam has been a popular symbol of the U.S. government in American culture and a manifestation of patriotic emotion. He's often depicted as a tall, thin man with a white beard and a top hat. He usually wears a red, white, and blue suit and carries a flag. Uncle Sam has appeared in military propaganda, most famously in a 1917 World War I recruiting poster by J.M. Flagg. The poster shows Uncle Sam pointing his finger at the viewer and saying, "I Want You for U.S. Army." Uncle Sam is a beloved figure in American culture. He represents the strength, resilience, and patriotism of the United States.