Uncle Sam

The story of Uncle Sam began during the War of 1812. A meat packer, Samuel Wilson supplied barrels of beef for the U.S. Army. The barrels were stamped U.S. for United States.

Soldiers jokingly said the letters stood for Uncle Sam. Samuel Wilson was affectionately known as Uncle Sam.

The most famous image came during WWI. Artist James Montgomery Flagg created the icon poster of Uncle Sam pointing directly to the viewer with words, I WANT YOU FOR THE U.S. ARMY.