He’s a symbol of patriotism, protest, and power. But behind the red, white, and blue is a real man—and a disputed American origin story. How did a real guy go from meatpacker to meme, to personification of a nation and, eventually, the most famous Army recruiter in history?

I WANT YOU… to listen and find out.

Guests: 

Frank Blazich, curator of modern military history at the Smithsonian's National Musuem of American History

Kathy Sheehan, executive director of the <a href="https://www.hartcluett.org/">Hart Cluett Museum</a> in Troy, New York; The Redela County and Troy City historian 

Sidedoor

Smithsonian Institution

Will the Real Uncle Sam Please Stand Up?

JAN 7, 202631 MIN
Sidedoor

Will the Real Uncle Sam Please Stand Up?

JAN 7, 202631 MIN

Description

He’s a symbol of patriotism, protest, and power. But behind the red, white, and blue is a real man—and a disputed American origin story. How did a real guy go from meatpacker to meme, to personification of a nation and, eventually, the most famous Army recruiter in history?I WANT YOU… to listen and find out.Guests: Frank Blazich, curator of modern military history at the Smithsonian's National Musuem of American HistoryKathy Sheehan, executive director of the Hart Cluett Museum in Troy, New York; The Redela County and Troy City historian