Saturday, April 18th, is World Circus Day! It is the day to commemorate the history of the circus and the figures who contributed to this popular entertainment.
Currently, laws prohibit the use of animals in circuses. This causes many circuses to utilize holograms instead, a decision that is supported by animal rights activists. These technological advances changes the overall concept of the circus, placing greater emphasis on light, sound, and aesthetics. When considering these advancements in the modern day circus, it is important to understand its history and development over time that led to this point.
The modern day circus originated in England in the 1770s and was brought to America in the 1840s. P. T. Barnum joined the circus business in the 1870s, taking advantage of this opportunity to be a part of the growing entertainment business. He engineered a flat car wagon system to enable easy transportation by rail. Through this technology, Barnum was able to travel across the country, putting on shows in several cities. In 1881, he merged operations with his rival, James A. Bailey and James Hutchinson, whose own business was struggling at the time. Below is an example of an advertisement featured in the May 7, 1885 Bridgeton Pioneer.
Barnum’s dream was to travel abroad with his circus, unfortunately he passed away before accomplishing his dream in 1901. After his passing, Bailey went on a five-year tour of Europe, placing America on the global stage in entertainment.
After Bailey’s death in 1906, the Ringling Brothers bought Barnum & Bailey’s circus. In 1919 they incorporated the two shows. Their shows continued until May 2017.
Below is an advertisement for Ringling Brothers show featured in the May 6, 1911 Newark Evening Star and Newark Advertiser.
(Contributed by Kristi Chanda)
Source for Circus History:
America’s Big Circus Spectacular Has a Long and Cherished History. (2017, March 22). Retrieved from https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/americas-big-circus-spectacular-has-long-and-cherished-history-180962621/