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is a popular name for the government of the US. Its origin was as follows: Samuel Wilson, commonly called "Uncle Sam," was an inspector of beef and pork, in Troy, N.Y. He inspected the meat purchased for the government after the declaration of war against England in 1812. A contractor named Elbert Anderson purchased a quantity of provisions, and the barrels were marked "E.A.," the initials of his name, and "U.S.," for United States. The latter initials were not familiar to Wilson's workmen, who inquired what they meant. A facetious fellow answered, "I don't know, unless they mean 'Uncle Sam." A vast amount of property afterwards passed through Wilson's hands, marked in the same way, and he was rallied on the extent of his possessions. The joke spread, and it was not long before the initials of the United States were regarded as "Uncle Sam," which name has been in popular parlance ever since. Even a popular song says: "Uncle Sam is rich enough to give us all a farm."

         So, by 1820, Uncle Sam was sometimes used as a term for the United States.  The popular image of Uncle Sam did not emerge until some time later.  In fact, prior to the Civil War, another character was much more commonly used as a symbol for our country; Brother Jonathan. Brother Jonathan had many of the features we associate with Uncle Sam: striped pants, a coat with tails, and a tall top hat. At the start of the Civil War, Brother Jonathan was almost always used as the symbol of the United States.

          By 1864, Uncle Sam had become the more pervasive symbol of the United States in newspapers and other publications, as Brother Jonathan gradually faded away.

          The popular image of Uncle Sam was defined in large part by Thomas Nast, who was one of the most popular artists of the 1800's.  Nast was also responsible for popular images of Santa Claus, the Republican Elephant, and the Democratic Donkey. Nast's first illustration of Uncle Sam appeared in the November 20, 1869.

          Uncle Sam is a symbol of the best ideals of the United States.  From the earliest days until today, he has stood for Freedom, Equality, and Justice. While as a Nation, Americans do not always perfectly achieve those ideals, Uncle Sam remains a poignant symbol and reminder of the goal and objective... One Nation, Under God, Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for All.

1. Americans often call their Government  Brother Jonathan.

2. Uncle Sam was used as a term for the United States since the beginning of the 18th century.

3. Brother Jonathan had many of the features we associate with Uncle Sam: striped pants, a coat with tails, and a tall top hat.

4. Brother Jonathan gradually faded away

5. The popular image of Uncle Sam was defined in large part by Thomas Nast.

8.

1. Who was Samuel Wilson? How is he connected with the American symbol the text was about?

2. Who was the symbol of the US before Uncle Sam? Did he have anything in common with the latter symbol?

3. When did Uncle Sam become the major American Symbol?

4. Who designed the popular image of Uncle Sam?

5. What ideas does Uncle Sam symbolize? Does he inspire Americans?

Do you have a national symbol or hero? Write about him/her.

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