There have been many famous modern circuses since the first modern circus was staged by Philip Astley in London on January 9, 1768. Many are best known by the name of their principal owner. The …

Jan 30, 2026 · Circus history. A list of American circuses both past and present, with photos stories and information.

At various times circuses have offered supplementary attractions such as street parades, menageries, sideshows, pantomimes, and theatrical presentations. A number of circuses, especially in Europe, …

This museum exhibits models, posters, traveling wagons, specialized gear, animal enclosures and other memorabilia from circuses in the United States and around the world.

May 15, 2025 · Discover the fate of the last traveling circuses. From the end of an era to new beginnings, learn about the challenges and transformations these circuses faced.

Jun 15, 2021 · For the better part of a century—a period that encompassed the Civil War, America’s Gilded Age, WW I, and through the Great Depression—the circus reigned as far and away …

Apr 23, 2023 · From their origins in ancient Rome to our modern times, circuses have thrived. The history of this strange institution was born from violence, and the journey was long to get to the …

Apr 17, 2024 · Circuses have been a popular form of entertainment for centuries, but their acts have changed greatly over time. The V&A holds in its collection a large number of objects that reveal the …

Think, for a moment, of how circuses used to be. Each summer, eye doctors and dentists, and the old farmers at church, would cheerfully distribute tickets to children as the circus drew near.

With that, the unique character of the American circus emerged: It was a traveling tent-show coupled with a menagerie and run by businessmen, a very different model from that of European circuses, …