Uncle Sam is one tough old avatar. Cartoonists and designers of all stripes have relied on him as a handy symbol of the U.S. government for ages. He’s evolved in small ways—his costume has ...

Over the next few decades, as the country outgrew this rambunctious youngster, he was slowly edged out by the figure we now know as Uncle Sam, originally named after a meat magnate from New York ...

Along with thoughts of beer and fireworks, Uncle Sam generally comes to mind around July Fourth. Early in the 19th century this cranky, imperious geezer somewhat incongruously became the symbol of ...