#ThisDayInHistory - 1863 - The U.S. Gets It's Nickname - "Uncle Sam" Since the early 19th century, Uncle Sam has been a popular symbol of the U.S. government in American culture and a manifestation of patriotic emotion. The name is linked to Samuel Wilson, a meat packer from Troy, New York, who supplied barrels of beef to the United States Army during the War of 1812. Wilson (1766-1854) stamped the barrels with “U.S.” for United States, but soldiers began referring to the grub as “Uncle Sam’s.” The local newspaper picked up on the story and Uncle Sam eventually gained widespread acceptance as the nickname for—and personification of—the U.S. federal government. While the figure of Uncle Sam specifically represents the government, the female figure of Columbia represents the United States as a nation. An archaic character, Brother Jonathan, was known to represent the American populace. In 1835, Brother Jonathan made a reference to Uncle Sam, implying that they symbolized different things: Brother Jonathan was the country itself, while Uncle Sam was the government and its power. An 1893 article in The Lutheran Witness claims Uncle Sam was simply another name for Brother Jonathan: When we meet him in politics we call him Uncle Sam; when we meet him in society we call him Brother Jonathan. Here of late Uncle Sam alias Brother Jonathan has been doing a powerful lot of complaining, hardly doing anything else. Uncle Sam did not get a standard appearance, even with the effective abandonment of Brother Jonathan near the end of the American Civil War, until the well-known recruitment image of Uncle Sam was first created by James Montgomery Flagg during World War I. This Day In History is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. The image of Uncle Sam was inspired by a British recruitment poster, showing British Lord Kitchener. It is this image more than any other that has influenced the modern appearance of Uncle Sam: an elderly white man with white hair and a goatee, wearing a white top hat with white stars on a blue band, a blue tail coat, and red-and-white-striped trousers. Flagg's image was also used extensively during World War II, during which the US was codenamed "Samland" by the German intelligence agency Abwehr. The term was central in the song "The Yankee Doodle Boy", which was featured in 1942 in the musical Yankee Doodle Dandy. There are two memorials to Uncle Sam, both of which commemorate the life of Samuel Wilson: the Uncle Sam Memorial Statue in Arlington, Massachusetts, his birthplace; and a memorial near his long-term residence in Riverfront Park, Troy, New York. Wilson's boyhood home can still be visited in Mason, New Hampshire. Samuel Wilson died on July 31, 1854, aged 87, and is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Troy, New York.

As we all know, voting is effective only insofar as people participate and legitimate votes are counted correctly. Previously, I have presented actions to take in preparation for the primary elections. Now that early voting for the General Election is nearly upon us, it’s crucial to be reminded of the actions you can take to preserve our liberty. In recent years, election fraud has been the focus of much attention. As citizens work with state legislatures to enact laws that make voting more secure—and stop destructive federal overreach—do you know that it is within your power to make a difference right now? Less than twenty percent of those eligible actually vote, and even fewer take part in facilitating the voting process, which is essential to free and fair elections. I want to give you an overview of three things that you can do this season besides casting your vote: Practical Actions to Participate in the Election Process 1. Become a volunteer voter registrar or hold a voter registration drive. Millions of eligible voters are missing from America’s political decision-making process. While many complain about voter integrity, one of the simplest ways the effects of fraud are countered is when like-minded people register to vote and show up at the polls. Once registered, people are more likely to take the next step and vote. Honest voter registration is a safeguard against fraudulent registration, and YOU can help. Nearly one out of every two Christians who are eligible to vote do not consistently take advantage of this tremendous opportunity. Imagine the impact even a registration drive at just one church can have! One of our partners provides everything you need to hold a registration drive at your own church. You can access it here. In some states, you can apply to become a deputy voter registrar who collects and submits completed registration forms. Other states do not provide a deputy registrar program, but they make registration forms available for individuals and organizations to hand out at registration drives. Contact your county elections office to find out how you can help register voters. This is an ideal time as we approach the November 8 election. 2. Become an election worker. Election workers facilitate the voting process on Election Day. It wasn’t until later in life that I became aware that this opportunity is open to people like you and me. By working at a local polling location, you take responsibility for protecting the right to vote and the security of part of the process. It’s also a great chance to meet your neighbors! You can sign up to be an election worker here through the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. You may be paid a nominal wage for your service. Training is usually provided through your county elections office. Your duties may include: Setting up and packing up the voting equipment at the polling location Making sure voters are registered in the county in which they are voting Transporting the ballots and election equipment back to your county elections office—a major responsibility! Guarding against electioneering (illegal campaigning) at the polling location How important are poll workers, you ask? In a 2004 Tennessee election, a vigilant poll worker caught one woman trying to vote in her deceased sister’s name. In a 2010 primary in Dallas, a poll worker attempted to use another person’s registration information to cast a fraudulent vote. Her attempt was thwarted, thankfully, by another poll worker who was honest. The integrity of those entrusted with administering our elections is critically important—and the opportunity is available to you. 3. Become a poll watcher or observer. Accountability is a key component to an honest election. Volunteer poll watchers observe the voting process at the polling location. As a poll watcher, you make sure election workers are enforcing and observing the law and that no illegal electioneering is taking place. Poll watcher (also called election observer) duties may include: Alerting an election worker to potential errors or violations in facilitating the voting Documenting all observations and reporting any incidents Observing the setting up and dismantling of election equipment, and the handling of ballots at the end of the night Poll watchers may be appointed by a political candidate or political party. In addition, election observers may be needed at the location where ballots are counted, not only where the voting takes place. You can find information on your state's requirements for election observers here as well as training through a resource provided by one of our partners. Be sure to contact your county elections office for specific information. Does it make a difference? Yes, it does! At a time when people feel helpless and don’t believe they can make a difference, have no doubt . . . YOU CAN. We need trustworthy citizens like yourself to step up and fill these positions. Often the most important jobs are not the most glamorous. Citizen action is by far the most effective way to engage your neighbors in voting, protect election integrity, and ultimately preserve our freedoms. I am greatly encouraged by these iVoterGuide users who have told us how they are taking action: “I am a judge [election worker] at our voting area. I have been now for several years. Yes it does make a difference. Thank you again for sharing this information.” “I volunteered to be a poll worker in my county in GA.” “I was an Election Inspector in my community … for the primary and will again be serving in November.” It’s tempting to think preserving our freedom can only be accomplished by bold, sweeping measures. In reality, it is often local, behind-the-scenes, sometimes unnoticed acts of service that make the biggest difference. Many times, the most effective action you can take is simply doing your part, refusing to give up, and leaving the rest to God. These roles will be filled by someone. The question is, who? Will it be people like yourself who desire to preserve freedom, or will it be those set on gaining political power, no matter what? In the coming months—in each county, community, and polling place—someone will hold a registration drive, apply to be an election worker, or sign up as a poll watcher. Multiplied by each county throughout the nation, these actions have a compounding effect, for good or bad. It all depends on who steps into the roles. What will you do in the next few months to preserve our freedom and values? For our future, Debbie Wuthnow President, iVoterGuide

https://www.zerohedge.com/technology/millions-iphone-users-warned-federal-agency-change-settings-immediately

ttps://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2022/08/federal-agency-warns-iphone-users-change-settings-attacker-exploit-one-vulnerabilities