Uncle Sam: The man and the meme
In honor of Uncle Sam Day, we tracked down the story of the familiar bearded figure.
He has been part of advertising for over 100 years, appearing on products ranging from cereal to car
Uncle Sam: The man and the meme
In honor of Uncle Sam Day, we tracked down the story of the familiar bearded figure.
He has been part of advertising for over 100 years, appearing on products ranging from cereal to car insurance. He's recruited Americans for military service and encouraged us to support the war effort. His name is mentioned in popular song. He makes regular appearances in political cartoons in newspapers across the country. He even hangs out in the hallways of this museum.
The image of Uncle Sam as a personification of our nation and government is widespread and instantly recognizable. But did you ever wonder about where he came from? Was he purely imaginary, or based on a real historical figure?
The character Uncle Sam has