Uncle Sam

Uncle Sam is a fun name for the United States government. The drawing of a man called Uncle Sam is used to

represent the federal government on large signs called posters. His name, Uncle Sam, uses the same first letters as

the words United States: a "U" and an "S".

History experts are not really sure how Uncle Sam was created or how he was named. However, some say the name

was first used on supply containers during the War of 1812.

People in the northeastern city of Troy, New York think they know the true story. They say that Uncle Sam was a

person named Samuel Wilson. Many people in Troy believe that Mister Wilson is linked to the first use of the term

"Uncle Sam" to represent the United States.

This is their story:

Samuel Wilson worked as a meat packer in Troy during the War of 1812. He often was called Uncle Sam because

he was so friendly and fair. Mister Wilson supplied large amounts of meat to the Army. The meat was sent to the

troops in rounded wooden containers. The barrels were marked with the letters "U S" to show they were meant for

the government. Someone suggested that the letters represented "Uncle Sam" Wilson. The idea that the meat came

from "Uncle Sam" led to the idea that Uncle Sam represented the federal government.