Congress issued a resolution in September 1961 recognizing Samuel Wilson, a meat packer from Troy, as "the progenitor of America’s national symbol of Uncle Sam."

Wilson supplied barrels of meat to the United States Army during the War of 1812. The barrels were stamped "U.S." for United States; however soldiers joked that the supplies were from "Uncle Sam." Local newspaper picked up in the story. Eventually, the term Uncle Sam became associated with the U.S. Government.

Political cartoonist Thomas Nast popularized the image of Uncle Sam in the 1860s. Nast gave Sam a white beard and his iconic suit. Later, during World War I, a portrait of Uncle Sam with the words "I Want You For U.S. Army" was used as a recruiting poster. The image, which was created by James Montgomery Flagg, was first used on the July 6, 1916 cover of Leslie’s Weekly. Between 1917-1918, over 4 million copies of the image were printed. Due to its overwhelming popularity, the likeness was used again to recruit Americans during World War II.

In 1854, Samuel Wilson died. He’s buried next to his wife Betsey Mann at Oakwood Cemetery in Troy, a city that prides itself as "The Home of Uncle Sam." Each September, Troy hosts an annual parade and celebration to honor its local hero.

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