Boxing kangaroo
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- For the film of the same name see Das Boxende Känguruh.
The boxing kangaroo is a national personification of Australia, frequently seen in popular culture.
The image of the boxing kangaroo Jack is known since 1891. Fifty years later it became a national symbol in the Royal Australian Air Force. The design was inspired by a travelling boxing show which had kangaroos boxing with men. During 1941 boxing kangaroos were stencilled on Australian fighter aeroplanes of the No. 21 Squadron RAAF based in Singapore and Malaya.
The boxing kangaroo was the symbol for the successful 1983 Australian challenge for the America's Cup. The Boxing Kangaroo flag, a red-gloved golden kangaroo on a green background, was flown from Australia II. Alan Bond (owner of the Australia II yacht) owned the image and licensed it for mass production.
The image was bought by the Australian Olympic Committee and the Australian Olympic Team carried a boxing kangaroo toy at the Opening ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympics. The mascot was also used by the 2004 Australian Olympic team.
The symbol is often displayed prominently at Australian sporting matches, for example cricket.
[edit] Early history of the Boxing kangaroo
- A cartoon titled "Jack, the fighting Kangaroo with Professor Lendermann" appeared in 1891.[1]
- The German silent movie Das Boxende Känguruh, directed by Max Skladanowsky, first presented in Berlin, on November 1 1895, featured a boxing kangaroo.[2]
- The silent movie The Boxing Kangaroo (1920), directed by Dave Fleischer, animated by Max Fleischer and Roland Crandall, was released in the United States.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Australia Post: stamp history of Boxing Kangaroo character
- July 2004 article in The Age on the use of the symbol for 2004 Australian Olympic Team
- article stating the flag's designer was an airman
- Australian airforce - history of no. 21 squadron
- DiggerHistory.info - Australian military history
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