September 13 is Uncle Sam Day – Did You Know He Was a Real Person?

Yes, this Friday is the feared Friday the 13th, but on the lighter side, it's also Uncle Sam Day.  Easily the most recognized of all American symbols, Uncle Sam, might even be the most recognized person in the world. 

However, he’s not the only person to ever represent the greatest country in the world.  Previous to him, America was represented by “Brother Jonathan” and by a female “Columbia.”

The most popular theory of how Uncle Sam came to be dates back to the early 1800’s.  While soldiers were stationed in Troy, New York during the War of 1812, they would receive barrels of meat stamped “U.S.”  The meat supplier was Samuel Wilson of Troy and the soldiers fondly referred to him as “Uncle Sam”.

Then, in 1813, the first image of  Uncle Sam made its appearance.  In 1961, Congress issued a resolution recognizing “Uncle Sam” Wilson, and authorized the erection of a monument in his hometown of Troy, New York.

In 1989 a joint resolution of Congress designated September 13 "Uncle Sam Day".  This date was selected, as "Uncle Sam" Wilson was born on September 13, 1776.