Barnum’s Circus Forms
At a glance:
- Series: Great Events from History: North American Series
- Categories: Arts, Popular Culture
- Subcategories: Entertainment, Entertainers
- Curriculum: American Civil War & Reconstruction Era (1856-1877)
- Geographical Location: New York City
- Date: April 10, 1871
Article abstract: An American institution begins as a traveling show that contributes to a growing national culture.
Summary of Event
The Latin word circus (“round”) was first used by ancient Romans as the name for entertainments held in round arenas. The three elements of the modern circus—a ring, acts, and clowns—were combined first in 1768 by Philip Astley in London. Thomas Pool staged a simple horse and clown show in Philadelphia on August 27, 1785, but John Bill Ricketts staged the first show in the United States called a circus in...
[The entire page is 1691 words long]
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