Who is Colonel Sanders? Most Young Americans Don’t Know the Man Behind KFC

ABC News' Susan Archer reports from New York: Harland David Sanders is famously known as ‘The Colonel’ – or is he? Today would have been the KFC founder’s 120th birthday. But a recent survey of Americans, ages 18-25, reveals that 61% of Americans couldn’t identify the man in the KFC logo. In fact, 31% of Americans aren’t familiar with the founder of the largest global chicken chain at all. 52% believe he is simply KFC’s corporate creation. This year KFC is on a mission to change that. In an effort to get Generation Y’ers  and beyond reacquainted with this chicken tycoon, KFC has introduced a contest to help Americans learn about this world-famous businessman who at the age of 65, created a chicken empire from a monthly Social Security check of only $105. In the lobby of the KFC headquarters hangs a Norman Rockwell portrait of the colonel. The contest will give artists the chance to have their artwork hang alongside Rockwell’s famous portrait by submitting their own artwork of the colonel. But, their artwork must pay homage to the man in a “finger-licking good” way. Any artwork submitted must include KFC’s special paint that is blended with The Colonel’s 11 secret herbs and spices used in his chicken. Artists have until the end of the month to submit their portraits to KFC either through their website or via email. The winner will receive a $1,100 and have their seasoned Colonel Sanders creation hang next to the Normal Rockwell classic. Click here to return to the World News page.