Uncle Sam 'I Want You' US Army Recruiting Poster

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This famous poster by James Montgomery Flagg was originally published as the cover for the 6 July 1916 issue of Leslie's Weekly with the title "What Are You Doing for Preparedness?" This portrait of "Uncle Sam" went on to become one of the most famous posters in the world. Over four million copies were printed for World War I during 1917-1918, and it was again adapted for use in World War II. Flagg personally presented a copy to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

The figure of Uncle Sam was not invented by Flagg. The origin of the Uncle Sam idea is controversial, but is often associated with a meat packer who supplied the army during the War of 1812--Samuel (Uncle Sam) Wilson of Troy, NY.

Today in WW II: 8 Feb 1940 Germans establish the first large Jewish ghetto in Poland in the city of Lodz. More ↓

8 Feb 1941 US House of Representatives passes the Lend-Lease Act [265 to 165].
8 Feb 1942 Battle of Sarimbun Beach begins, the first stage of the Japanese assault on Singapore.
8 Feb 1942 Japanese Offensive in Burma begins [8 Feb-2 May].
8 Feb 1945 Battle of the Reichswald: British and Canadian forces under Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery begin Operation Veritable [8 Feb-11 Mar].
Visit the Olive-Drab.com World War II Timeline for day-by-day events 1939-1945! See also WW2 Books.