【正文】
s U. S. The first visual representation or caricature of an Uncle Sam figure, attired in stars and stripes, appeared in political cartoons in 1832. In the 20th century Uncle Sam has usually been depicted with a short beard, high hat, and tailed coat. In 1961 the U. S. Congress adopted the figure as a national symbol. Great Seal of the United States official seal of the United States government. It is twosided, having both an obverse and a reverse. The dominant figure on the obverse of the seal is an American eagle, shown with wings spread. On its breast the eagle bears a shield. The eagle holds an olive branch in its right talon, a cluster of 13 arrows in its left. A cluster of 13 fivepointed stars, surrounded by a glory, appears above the eagle. Great Seal of the United States A pyramid is the central figure of the reverse side. The base of the pyramid is inscribed with the date 1776 in Roman numerals: MDCCLXXVI. The designing of a seal of the . was first missioned by the Continental Congress immediately after the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Great Seal of the United States The Great Seal now appears on a wide variety of documents, including presidential proclamations, the missions of cabi officers, ambassadors, and other foreign service officers. The . presidential seal is similar to the Great Seal, but differs from it in the border inscription ―The Seal of the President of the United States.‖ Each . state has a seal of its own.