Beyond the Textbooks: Historical Figures Whose Lives Were Anything But Ordinary!
Samuel Wilson Or “Uncle Sam”
Samuel Wilson, better known as “Uncle Sam,” became a symbol of the United States’ national identity during the War of 1812. Born in 1766 in Massachusetts, Samuel was a meatpacker who supplied barrels of beef to the U.S. Army during the war.
The barrels were stamped with “U.S.” for the United States, but soldiers jokingly referred to them as coming from “Uncle Sam.” Over time, the nickname spread, and “Uncle Sam” came to represent the federal government and the American people. The iconic image of Uncle Sam, with his tall hat and pointing finger, became a symbol of American patriotism and loyalty.
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