| − | '''Uncle Sam''' is a [[personification]] of the [[United States of America]]. He is an old man with a white beard and a star-studded [[top hat]], who points at the viewer with one hand. Uncle Sam was first invented during the [[Civil War]], when the symbols of America were still the goddess [[Columbia]] and [[Yankee Doodle]] (the hero of a minstrel song). Uncle Sam quickly took over their roles in popular culture, and they are rarely heard from today. | + | '''Uncle Sam''' is a [[personification]] of the [[United States of America]]. He is an old man with a white beard and a star-studded [[top hat]], who points at the viewer with one hand. Uncle Sam was first invented during the War of 1812, when the symbols of America were still the goddess [[Columbia]] and [[Yankee Doodle]] (the hero of a minstrel song). Uncle Sam quickly took over their roles in popular culture, and they are rarely heard from today. |
| − | The name "Uncle Sam" may have been based on the initials of "United States", or possibly on the first two initials of [[Ulysses S. Grant]], the president at the time. | + | The name "Uncle Sam" may have been based on the initials of "United States", or possibly on a butcher from Troy, NY, named Samuel Wilson. |
| − | The commercial character [[Colonel Sanders]] was inspired by Uncle Sam.[http://www.lexdon.com/article/Uncle_Sam_Extends_Tax_Deadline;/44459.html] There is also a British version of Uncle Sam, called "John Bull".
| + | There is also a British version of Uncle Sam, called "John Bull". |