Page 18 - IAV Digital Magazine #615

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Samuel Wilson provided the US Army with barrels of beef during the War of 1812. The initials “U.S.,” representing the United States, were imprinted on these barrels. Legend has it that troops started calling the supplies “Uncle Sam” Wilson in a lighthearted and loving man- ner to acknowledge the source of their food. The story took off and eventually entered the American language. The moniker “Uncle Sam” gained wider significance as the US gained strength and territorial expansion, eventually coming to stand for the US federal government.
In newspapers and magazines from the 1830s, Uncle Sam was first mentioned in writing. At that time, the name was used synonymously with “U.S. government” or “United States.” Uncle Sam was por- trayed by political cartoonists
of the time as a strict yet fatherly character who repre- sented the values and interests of the country, which helped to further popularize the image of him. But Uncle Sam didn’t real- ly become part of the American public’s collective psyche until the start of World War I. Uncle Sam is seen staring straight at the spectator in the famous recruiting poster designed by artist James Montgomery Flagg in 1917, along with the words, “I want you for the U.S. Army.” This striking picture captured the public’s attention and turned it into a call to duty and patriotism.
Due to the poster’s extensive dissemination and ongoing appeal, Uncle Sam has come to represent civic duty and American nationalism. Uncle Sam came to represent the need to serve one’s nation and uphold its beliefs ever since.
Despite its historical roots, the moniker “Uncle Sam” has a deeper meaning in the minds of Americans. Uncle Sam is a personification of the federal government, signifying its power, safety, and occasionally its demands of its people. In addition, the phrase humanizes the enormous institution of government and serves as a reminder to the public that it is there to serve and protect them.
Uncle Sam has continued to be a common figure in American society over time, showing up in political cartoons, commer- cials, and Fourth of July festivi- ties. His picture is a timeless icon of the United States, con- juring sentiments of duty, patri- otism, and national pride. He is a man whose legacy is as durable as the country itself.
iAV - Antelope Valley Digital Magazine