There were so many options to choose from today. It is 'Defy Superstition Day', 'Fortune Cookie Day', 'National Peanut Day', and 'Positive Thinking Day'. As I pondered which one to tackle, my eyes scrolled down a little further and found one more thing to celebrate today. And I knew, this one, I just had to do. So settle in, it's time for a history lesson. About what else? New York!
September 13 is 'Uncle Sam' day. Uncle Sam is the fictional personification of the US Government. Perhaps you've seen his picture around. Uncle Sam's roots trace back to the War of 1812. The story is that a meat packer in Troy, NY named Samuel Wilson supplied barrels of beef to the US Army. Wilson stamped the barrels with "U.S." for 'United States' but the soldiers started referring to it as 'Uncle Sam's'. Once the media (a newspaper) picked up the story, it went viral. Or the 1812 equivilent of viral. Uncle Sam came to symbolize the government of the United States.
Several artists created images of Uncle Sam. His image was used on recruitment posters during WWI. In 1961 Congress issued a resolution recognizing "Uncle Sam" Wilson and authorizing a monument to be built in Troy, NY near his longtime home. Troy took that and ran with it. Troy is very proud of Uncle Sam. Signs welcoming you to the city welcome you to the 'Home of Uncle Sam'. Uncle Sam is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, one of the largest rural cemeteries in the country. Signs in the cemetery point you to Uncle Sam's grave. Each year, Troy holds an 'Uncle Sam Parade'. The 36th annual event steps off at 12:45pm on Sunday, September 18 (it is being held AFTER Uncle Sam day this year so as not to interfere with the 9/11 memorials). A month or so before the parade, the city holds a 'Miss Uncle Sam' pageant. Girls ages 2-18 can enter, as long as they are a resident of the county. There is a 'Tiny Miss Uncle Sam' (ages 2-3), a 'Little Miss Uncle Sam' (ages 4-6), a 'Young Miss Uncle Sam' (ages 7-9), a 'Pre-Teen Miss Uncle Sam' (ages 10-12), a 'Teen Miss Uncle Sam' (ages 13-15), and finally, a 'Miss Uncle Sam' (ages 16-18). The parade is a very big deal in Troy.
I read somewhere that Uncle Sam is possibly the most recognizable figure in the entire world. I'm not sure about that. But I know he's the favorite son in Troy.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
A Year of Blogging: September 13, 2011
There were so many options to choose from today. It is 'Defy Superstition Day', 'Fortune Cookie Day', 'National Peanut Day', and 'Positive Thinking Day'. As I pondered which one to tackle, my eyes scrolled down a little further and found one more thing to celebrate today. And I knew, this one, I just had to do. So settle in, it's time for a history lesson. About what else? New York!
September 13 is 'Uncle Sam' day. Uncle Sam is the fictional personification of the US Government. Perhaps you've seen his picture around. Uncle Sam's roots trace back to the War of 1812. The story is that a meat packer in Troy, NY named Samuel Wilson supplied barrels of beef to the US Army. Wilson stamped the barrels with "U.S." for 'United States' but the soldiers started referring to it as 'Uncle Sam's'. Once the media (a newspaper) picked up the story, it went viral. Or the 1812 equivilent of viral. Uncle Sam came to symbolize the government of the United States.
Several artists created images of Uncle Sam. His image was used on recruitment posters during WWI. In 1961 Congress issued a resolution recognizing "Uncle Sam" Wilson and authorizing a monument to be built in Troy, NY near his longtime home. Troy took that and ran with it. Troy is very proud of Uncle Sam. Signs welcoming you to the city welcome you to the 'Home of Uncle Sam'. Uncle Sam is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, one of the largest rural cemeteries in the country. Signs in the cemetery point you to Uncle Sam's grave. Each year, Troy holds an 'Uncle Sam Parade'. The 36th annual event steps off at 12:45pm on Sunday, September 18 (it is being held AFTER Uncle Sam day this year so as not to interfere with the 9/11 memorials). A month or so before the parade, the city holds a 'Miss Uncle Sam' pageant. Girls ages 2-18 can enter, as long as they are a resident of the county. There is a 'Tiny Miss Uncle Sam' (ages 2-3), a 'Little Miss Uncle Sam' (ages 4-6), a 'Young Miss Uncle Sam' (ages 7-9), a 'Pre-Teen Miss Uncle Sam' (ages 10-12), a 'Teen Miss Uncle Sam' (ages 13-15), and finally, a 'Miss Uncle Sam' (ages 16-18). The parade is a very big deal in Troy.
I read somewhere that Uncle Sam is possibly the most recognizable figure in the entire world. I'm not sure about that. But I know he's the favorite son in Troy.
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It is beyond me why they stuff so many days into one and then there are days were they only come up with one seriously strange idea to celebrate. Oh well!
ReplyDeleteAnd it's true, most people will recognize Uncle Sam (and if not on a picture than at least by name). Don't laugh at me now, but to me it always felt he looked like he could be one of the presidents ... with a funny hat!