There are several stories about the beginning of Uncle Sam, but the one Congress officially recognized in 1961 is the story that follows.
Samuel Wilson was born in Arlington, Massachusetts in 1766. He fought in the Revolutionary War with his father and bothers. When the war was over, he moved to Troy, New York. He started a meatpacking business and was well – respected in his community.
During the war of 1812, Sam Wilson supplied meat to the U.S. Army in barrels marked U.S. When asked what the U.S. stood for, one of Wilson’s workers said, Uncle Sam Wilson, the meatpacker. This story gained popularity when it was printed in a New York City Newspaper. Soon many things labeled U.S. were being called Uncle Sam’s, not just meat!
After the war, Uncle Sam became the symbol of the nation. People drew him and dressed up like him. Uncle Sam is a United States’ symbol that is middle recognized throughout the world. He has appeared in magazines, newspaper, and on posters for the last 150 years.