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Get ready to celebrate the iconic symbol of American patriotism on Uncle Sam Day, coming up on September 13! This day honors the legendary figure who represents the United States government and its citizens. Did you know that Uncle Sam's origins can be traced back to a meatpacker named Samuel Wilson during the War of 1812? Since then, his image has become synonymous with American pride and values. So let's take a moment to appreciate this beloved symbol and all that it stands for on this special day.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1766</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Birth of Samuel Wilson</div><div class='timeline-text'>Samuel Wilson, who later became the inspiration for the Uncle Sam character, was born in Arlington, Massachusetts. </div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1812</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Uncle Sam Emerges</div><div class='timeline-text'>During the War of 1812, Samuel Wilson was a meatpacker who supplied barrels of beef to the U.S. Army, which were stamped with "U.S." This eventually led to soldiers referring to him as Uncle Sam, leading to the creation of the iconic character.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1860s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First visual representations</div><div class='timeline-text'>Political cartoonist Thomas Nast began popularizing the image of Uncle Sam through his caricatures in Harper's Weekly.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1917</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Uncle Sam's Famous Poster</div><div class='timeline-text'>During World War I, James Montgomery Flagg created a famous recruitment poster featuring Uncle Sam pointing outward, under the words "I Want You for U.S. Army".</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1961</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>National symbol adoption</div><div class='timeline-text'>The U.S. Congress officially recognized Samuel Wilson as the progenitor of America's national symbol of Uncle Sam.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1989</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Uncle Sam Day Establishment</div><div class='timeline-text'>Uncle Sam Day was officially designated by a joint resolution in Congress, and then-President George Bush declared September 13 as Uncle Sam Day.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Dress up as Uncle Sam</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Get into the spirit of Uncle Sam Day by dressing up as the iconic figure. Don a top hat, red and white striped pants, and a blue jacket with stars. You'll be the life of the party!</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a patriotic BBQ</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Invite friends and family over for a backyard BBQ with all-American favorites like hot dogs, burgers, and apple pie. Decorate with red, white, and blue and play some classic American tunes.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Watch a patriotic movie</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather some snacks and settle in for a movie marathon featuring films that celebrate America and its history. Some suggestions include "Forrest Gump," "Lincoln," or "Independence Day."</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Explore a historical site</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take a trip to a nearby historical site or museum to learn more about the history of Uncle Sam and the United States. It's a great way to connect with the holiday and gain a deeper understanding of its significance.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create Uncle Sam crafts</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Get creative and make some Uncle Sam-themed crafts to decorate your home or give as gifts. You can make paper hats, flags, or even create your own Uncle Sam doll.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Commemorates a historical figure</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Uncle Sam Day is a holiday that honors the American political cartoonist Thomas Nast, who is widely credited for creating the iconic personification of Uncle Sam. By celebrating this day, we remember and pay tribute to his contributions to American culture.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Represents patriotic values</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Uncle Sam is often portrayed as a symbol of patriotism and nationalism in the United States. Celebrating Uncle Sam Day is a way to recognize and honor these important values that are deeply ingrained in American society.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Brings people together</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Just like other national holidays, Uncle Sam Day brings people together in celebration. It's an opportunity for communities to gather and share their love for America and its symbols, such as Uncle Sam. This helps foster a sense of unity and pride in our country.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Uncle Sam’s iconic hat was inspired by folklore</h3><p class='facts-content'>The high, white star-spangled hat of Uncle Sam was inspired by Yankee Doodle, a character from an American song dating back to the Revolutionary War.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Uncle Sam was associated with political cartoons</h3><p class='facts-content'>Uncle Sam gained widespread popularity across America thanks to political cartoons, especially those by artists like Thomas Nast and J.M. Flagg, who used the symbol to comment on political events and issues of their time.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Uncle Sam's real-life inspiration was a war contractor</h3><p class='facts-content'>Samuel Wilson, who reportedly inspired the creation of Uncle Sam, was a meatpacker in New York, providing barrels of meat for American troops during the War of 1812.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Uncle Sam has overseas recognition</h3><p class='facts-content'>While considered a symbol of American patriotism and government, Uncle Sam is recognizable around the world and often used in political cartoons and commentary in other countries, reflecting global attitudes towards the United States.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Uncle Sam’s wardrobe is rich in symbolism</h3><p class='facts-content'>Uncle Sam is usually depicted wearing a blue tailcoat and white and red striped pants, representing the American flag. His tall white hat often has a band of stars around the base, symbolizing the United States' original 13 colonies.</p></div></div>
Uncle Sam Day is celebrated on September 13th every year. In 2024 Uncle Sam Day will occur on a Friday.
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Friday
2025
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2026
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