• Uncle Sam is the personification of the federal government of the United States dating back to the 19th century.

  • He is usually depicted as an elderly gentleman in a star-studded top hat and a red bow tie.
  • Uncle Sam is often used colloquially for the IRS, which levies income tax on American citizens and corporations.
  • One of the most prominent depictions of Uncle Sam in popular culture is a poster of him pointing at the viewer with the words “I want YOU”, which was used for recruiting initiatives for the US Army.
  • Uncle Sam represents the US government, while Lady Liberty and Columbia represent the US as a nation.