Uncle Sam is the fictional embodiment of the United States of America, heavily used in political cartoons, propaganda, and other anthropomorphic depictions of the country. The term "Uncle Sam" dates to the War of 1812, and the earliest depiction to 1852. It was primarily in the post-Civil War era, however, particularly in the illustrations of Thomas Nast, that the familiar image of the tall, goateed Uncle Sam (borrowing aspects of Abraham Lincoln) completely supplanted earlier anthropomorphizations of America (such as Columbia and Brother Jonathan).

Uncle Sam became particularly iconic in World War I, through a series of famous recruitment posters in which, finger outstretched, he encouraged citizens to join the military.

GalleryEdit

Sam the Eagle, from The Muppet Show Fan Club Newsletter

Hal Linden, from The Muppet Show episode 517

Baby Rowlf, from the Muppet Babies episode "What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?"

Animal, on the Great Muppets in American History coloring book

Sam in the Great Muppets in American History coloring book

Cookie Monster, from the Universal Studios Japan Halloween parade
2008

Uncle Sam in a parade in Big Bird's Red Book

Sesame Street T-shirts (Bang-On)

Bye-Bye Pacifier! Big Kid Stories with Elmo promotional poster

Add a photo to this galleryAdd a photo to this gallery