Association of Filipino Teachers In Eastern America, Inc.

Why the United States of America is always referred to as "Uncle Sam?" Who is "Uncle Sam" by the way? When our active AFTEA, Inc. Chairman, Dr. Eufemia Patron, headed the Tulip Festival tour to New York State last May 2017, she enthusiastically discovered that during the years between 1765-1854, the Iconic figure as shown below whose name is UNCLE SAM (Samuel Wilson) is believed to be based on Samuel Wilson, a meatpacker from Troy who supported rations to the United States Army during the War of 1812. Inspected barrels intended for the army were stamped US, an unfamiliar abbreviation at the time. Popular legend held that the letters stood for Uncle Sam means "US." On the other hand, in 1985, the United States Senate passed a resolution asking the president to declare the rose as the national floral emblem. On November 20th, 1986, then president Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation certifying the rose as the national flower in a ceremony at the White House Rose Garden. But Tulip flower is not one of the state flowers ot the United States. Tulips are spring-blooming perennials that grow from bulbs. Depending on the species, tulip plants can be between 4 inches (10 cm) and 28 inches (71 cm) high.