This article is for quizzes on Thursday March 9th...
Uncle Sam (initials U.S.) is a common
national personification of the
American government or the
United States in general that, according to legend, came into use during the
War of 1812 and was supposedly named for
Samuel Wilson. Its actual origin is obscure. Uncle Sam represents a manifestation of
patriotic emotion.
The term Uncle Sam is reputedly derived from
Samuel Wilson, a meat packer from
Troy, New York
who supplied rations for the soldiers during the War of 1812. There was
a requirement at the time for contractors to stamp their name and where
the rations came from onto the food they were sending. Wilson's
packages were labeled "E.A – US." When someone asked what that stood
for, a coworker joked and said, "Elbert Anderson (the contractor) and
Uncle Sam," referring to Sam Wilson, though it actually stood for United
States. Doubts have been raised as to this being the source of the term, as the claim did not appear in print until 1842.
Additionally, the earliest reference to the term that has been found is
from 1810, predating Wilson's contract with the government.
As early as 1835, Brother Jonathan made a reference to Uncle Sam,
implying that they symbolized different things: Brother Jonathan was the
country itself, while Uncle Sam was the government and its power.
