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Through the years: Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus

After more than a century of touring, "The Greatest Show on Earth" is coming to an end.

Through the years: Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 7, 1948: Performers poses on elephants during the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in New York, New York. (Photo by Earl Leaf/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)Photo by: Michael Ochs ArchivesCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Through the years: Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus NEW YORK - APRIL 02: A performer rides an elephant during a live perfomance of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus at Madison Square Garden on April 02, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Wintrow/Getty Images)Photo by: Scott WintrowCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Through the years: Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus Two unidentified kids sitting in a circus vehicle and posing for the picture during a rehearsal for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in Sarasota, FL in 1949.Photo by: Nina LeenCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Through the years: Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus A group of people standing near an elephant during a rehearsal for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in Sarasota, FL in 1949.Photo by: Nina LeenCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Through the years: Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus Life Visits the Circus in Florida- Acrobats and stage performers in various stages of action. (Photo By Nina Leen/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images)Photo by: Nina LeenCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Through the years: Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus UNITED STATES - JULY 01: Actress Esther Williams gets a boost while climbing on a elephant during a charity show put on by Hollywood stars with Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus to benefit St. John's Hospital in Hollywood. (Photo by Allan Grant/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)Photo by: Allan GrantCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Through the years: Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 7, 1948: A performer balances on rope to entertain the audience during Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in New York, New York. (Photo by Earl Leaf/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)Photo by: Michael Ochs ArchivesCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Through the years: Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 7,1948: A clown poses outside the tent during Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in New York, New York. (Photo by Earl Leaf/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)Photo by: Michael Ochs ArchivesCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Through the years: Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus American circus clown Weary Willie, aka Emmett Kelly (1898 - 1979) mingles with the audience to sweep out peanut shells at the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus, Madison Square Garden, New York, April 1948. (Photo by FPG/Archive Photos/Getty Images)Photo by: FPGCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Through the years: Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus FITCH BANDWAGON -- "Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus" -- Pictured: Clown with kids in the audience -- (Photo by: NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)Photo by: NBCCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Through the years: Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus The Christiani family practicing their bareback riding act for Ringling Brothers circus performance in Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Gjon Mili/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)Photo by: Gjon MiliCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Through the years: Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus Gargantua the Great, the famous giant gorilla featured in the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus, who sustained a scarred face when a sailor threw acid in his face on the ship from Africa, at the circus' winter quarters. (Photo by Alfred Eisenstaedt/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)Photo by: Alfred EisenstaedtCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Through the years: Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus Ringling Bros. animal trainer holding snarling leopard over his head. (Photo by Gjon Mili/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)Photo by: Gjon MiliCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Through the years: Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus Ringling Bros. animal trainer working w. seven snarling lepards while lioness & black panther sit on perch. (Photo by Gjon Mili/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)Photo by: Gjon MiliCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Through the years: Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey combined circus puts on a five ring show at the Coliseum in the Bronx in New York City, 1929. (Photo by Underwood Archives/Getty Images)Photo by: Underwood ArchivesCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Through the years: Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus United States of America (USA), New York City: Illuminated advertising: circus Barnum & Bailey, Blue Label Ketchup and Music Publishers Jerome H. Remick & Co - probably in the 1910s (Photo by Haeckel collection/ullstein bild via Getty Images)Photo by: ullstein bildCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Through the years: Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus (Original Caption) Ringling Brothers Circus poster showing Tiny Tom Tinker, midget elephant with group of spectators looking on. Lithograph 1911. BPA2# 1480Photo by: BettmannCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Through the years: Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus Emmett Kelly, shown as "Weary Willie," the clown for Barnum Bailey Circus (1942-1956).Photo by: BettmannCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Through the years: Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus Interior view of Barnum and Bailey Circus under "the big-top" tent; circus acts performing and stands are packed. Undated photo. Gendreau coll.Photo by: BettmannCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Through the years: Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus A crowd in front of the main entrance to the Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Circus. (Photo by Library of Congress/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images)Photo by: Library of CongressCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Through the years: Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus The Barnum & Bailey greatest show on earth. Scenes in the grand water circus, c. 1895. Artist: The Strobridge Lithographing Company (Photo by Fine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images)Photo by: Heritage ImagesCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Through the years: Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus Poster for Barnum & Bailey circus 1889 : supernatural illusions under the black tent. (Photo by APIC/Getty Images)Photo by: ApicCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Through the years: Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus

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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 7, 1948: Performers poses on elephants during the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in New York, New York. (Photo by Earl Leaf/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)Michael Ochs ArchivesCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
NEW YORK - APRIL 02: A performer rides an elephant during a live perfomance of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus at Madison Square Garden on April 02, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Wintrow/Getty Images)Scott WintrowCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Two unidentified kids sitting in a circus vehicle and posing for the picture during a rehearsal for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in Sarasota, FL in 1949.Nina LeenCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
A group of people standing near an elephant during a rehearsal for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in Sarasota, FL in 1949.Nina LeenCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Life Visits the Circus in Florida- Acrobats and stage performers in various stages of action. (Photo By Nina Leen/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images)Nina LeenCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
UNITED STATES - JULY 01: Actress Esther Williams gets a boost while climbing on a elephant during a charity show put on by Hollywood stars with Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus to benefit St. John's Hospital in Hollywood. (Photo by Allan Grant/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)Allan GrantCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 7, 1948: A performer balances on rope to entertain the audience during Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in New York, New York. (Photo by Earl Leaf/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)Michael Ochs ArchivesCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 7,1948: A clown poses outside the tent during Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in New York, New York. (Photo by Earl Leaf/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)Michael Ochs ArchivesCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
American circus clown Weary Willie, aka Emmett Kelly (1898 - 1979) mingles with the audience to sweep out peanut shells at the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus, Madison Square Garden, New York, April 1948. (Photo by FPG/Archive Photos/Getty Images)FPGCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
FITCH BANDWAGON -- "Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus" -- Pictured: Clown with kids in the audience -- (Photo by: NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)NBCCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Christiani family practicing their bareback riding act for Ringling Brothers circus performance in Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Gjon Mili/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)Gjon MiliCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Gargantua the Great, the famous giant gorilla featured in the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus, who sustained a scarred face when a sailor threw acid in his face on the ship from Africa, at the circus' winter quarters. (Photo by Alfred Eisenstaedt/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)Alfred EisenstaedtCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Ringling Bros. animal trainer holding snarling leopard over his head. (Photo by Gjon Mili/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)Gjon MiliCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Ringling Bros. animal trainer working w. seven snarling lepards while lioness & black panther sit on perch. (Photo by Gjon Mili/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)Gjon MiliCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey combined circus puts on a five ring show at the Coliseum in the Bronx in New York City, 1929. (Photo by Underwood Archives/Getty Images)Underwood ArchivesCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
United States of America (USA), New York City: Illuminated advertising: circus Barnum & Bailey, Blue Label Ketchup and Music Publishers Jerome H. Remick & Co - probably in the 1910s (Photo by Haeckel collection/ullstein bild via Getty Images)ullstein bildCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
(Original Caption) Ringling Brothers Circus poster showing Tiny Tom Tinker, midget elephant with group of spectators looking on. Lithograph 1911. BPA2# 1480BettmannCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Emmett Kelly, shown as "Weary Willie," the clown for Barnum Bailey Circus (1942-1956).BettmannCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Interior view of Barnum and Bailey Circus under "the big-top" tent; circus acts performing and stands are packed. Undated photo. Gendreau coll.BettmannCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
A crowd in front of the main entrance to the Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Circus. (Photo by Library of Congress/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images)Library of CongressCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Barnum & Bailey greatest show on earth. Scenes in the grand water circus, c. 1895. Artist: The Strobridge Lithographing Company (Photo by Fine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images)Heritage ImagesCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Poster for Barnum & Bailey circus 1889 : supernatural illusions under the black tent. (Photo by APIC/Getty Images)ApicCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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