The name Yankee is of American origin and is gender-neutral. It means "U.S. Northerner" and has various interrelated meanings depending on the context. In the United States, it can refer to people from New England, the Northeastern United States, the Northern United States, or to people from the US in general. The term Yankee originated from Dutch language sources, possibly from the Dutch given names Jan and Kees, and was later applied to English and non-Dutch colonists. Historically, the term has been used to distinguish American-born Protestants from later immigrants and has been associated with New England culture and values. The term Yankee has diverse contemporary uses within and outside the United States, with different connotations and associations in various regions and countries.
Yankee Sullivan, also known as Frank Murray and James Sullivan, was a prominent bare-knuckle fighter and boxer, claiming the American bare-knuckle heavyweight champion title from 1851 to 1853. Born in Bandon, County Cork, Ireland, in 1811, he grew up in London's East End, where he began his career as a prizefighter. After being sentenced to twenty years in jail, he was sent to a penal colony in Australia before settling in the Rocks area of Sydney. Sullivan gained recognition in America as a prizefighter and political enforcer, particularly for the Irish factions associated with Tammany Hall. His involvement in promoting a fight that resulted in a death led to a state prison sentence, but he received a pardon after two months. Throughout his career, Sullivan engaged in notable fights, including defeating Robert Caunt and engaging in a championship bout against Tom Hyer. This clash with Hyer represented a proxy battle between anti-immigrant nativists and Irish immigrants in New York. The fight was also marked by the intervention of Maryland's state militia, attempting to prevent the bout from taking place. Sullivan's legacy intertwines with the complex political and social landscape of 19th-century America, where boxing was closely linked with corrupt urban political machines.
All images displayed on this page are sourced from Wikipedia or Wikimedia Commons.We use these images under their respective Creative Commons or public domain licenses. Wherever applicable, author attributions and license information are provided. If you believe an image is used incorrectly or outside its license terms, please contact us so that we can review and correct the issue.
