Barnum & Bailey Circus

The iconic circus performed its final show on May 21, 2017, at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. The closure was largely attributed to declining ticket sales, high operating costs, and intense public pressure regarding animal welfare. Feld Entertainment, the parent company, ultimately decided to retire the 146-year-old spectacle.

Before founding the circus, P.T. Barnum was famous for running the American Museum in New York City. He attracted massive crowds by exhibiting bizarre curiosities like the 'Feejee Mermaid' and General Tom Thumb. He did not enter the traveling circus business until he was in his 60s.

Yes, the circus was historically famous for its extensive use of performing animals, including lions, tigers, and camels. Most notably, they maintained a massive herd of Asian elephants that performed intricate routines. The circus officially ended its elephant acts in 2016 after years of intense protests from animal rights groups.

The Ringling brothers purchased the Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1907, effectively creating a massive monopoly in the traveling entertainment industry. They ran the two circuses as separate touring companies until officially merging them into a single, giant show in 1919. This combined entity became known as 'The Greatest Show on Earth'.