UNCLE SAM

the imaginary person who represents the US and its government. He became an official symbol in 1961. Uncle Sam has a white beard and wears red, white and blue clothes, with stars on his tall hat. He was probably named after ‘Uncle’ Sam Wilson (1766–1854), who examined army supplies for the US government during the War of 1812 . During both world wars, a picture of Uncle Sam appeared on posters telling young men that they should join the armed forces.