You may be familiar with the word "Columbia." It is after all known across the US, and has been used to name all sorts of things, from cities and rivers to universities, record labels, and space shuttles. The origins of the name can be traced back to explorer Christopher Columbus. It was then used to identify the first personification of America. So Columbia, also known as Lady Columbia, or Miss Columbia, has been around for a long time, even representing America before Uncle Sam.
But who was Columbia, really?
Click through this gallery and find out about the earliest personification of America.