It's nice to see you in the library doing some reading, what are you looking at? I'm reading about America and Uncle Sam. Before I started this book I thought that Uncle Sam was a real person, perhaps the uncle of a president or something. He is a popular U.S. symbol, usually seen in cartoons. He has long white hair, a beard and very interesting clothing. Yes, he wears a swallow-tailed coat, a waistcoat, tall hat with a star, and striped trousers. Just like the American flag. But do you know his appearance came from two other symbols in American folklore? I know that, Brother Jonathan and Yankee Doodle. The name "Uncle Sam" was often used to describe the American government. Very good. But do you know when this started and why? It was in 1812, during the war. They said "Uncle Sam" because of the letters U.S. on the soldiers' uniforms. That's right. But some people also say that the name came from Samuel Wilson, of Troy, N.Y. Wilson, whose nickname was Uncle Sam, was an inspector of army supplies.