Uncle Sam Day

Uncle Sam Day is an annual American holiday dedicated to the cartoon character Uncle Sam, which has become a symbol of the US government, along with the image of the eagle and the flag. It is celebrated on September 13th.

History

Uncle Sam Day has been celebrated since 1989, when President George W. Bush officially approved this new holiday. The history of this holiday is associated with a man named Sam Wilson. This was an ordinary butcher who supplied the American army during the War of 1812. So that the barrels would not get lost along the way, he put a ‘USA’ stamp on them. He became a kind of symbol of the country for the soldiers. On the posters of those times, he was depicted as a man in a bandana and a striped vest. However, his image changed constantly depending on the events taking place in the country.

The modern image of this symbol of American imperialism and power appeared in Germany at the beginning of the 20th century. A German cartoonist portrayed “Uncle Sam” as a bearded man with long legs, striped pants, and a top hat in the colors of the US national flag. This image was used on propaganda posters during the First World War and was accompanied by a call to join the army.

Interesting facts

• The date of birth of Sam Wilson was chosen as the date of celebration, and also on September 13, 1989, the town of Troy, where the butcher lived and worked, turned 200 years old.
• For the first time, the story about the appearance of the image of Uncle Sam was published on September 7, 1813 in the small-circulation newspaper Troy Post.
• There is also a theory that the image of this character is based on Jefferson Davis, the first and only president of the Confederate States of America during the Civil War.

How to take part

There are many ways to celebrate Uncle Sam Day. We recommend you draw an image of this character and share it on social networks. To immerse yourself in the history of the United States, watch documentaries and read the opinions of researchers about various events. Spend the day with friends watching a classic American TV series or cooking the country’s national dishes.

When is Uncle Sam Day celebrated in 2023?

Uncle Sam Day is observed on September 13 each year.

Observations