--- description: The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will close in May title: See Ringling Brothers' 'Greatest Show on Earth' Through the Years image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt322b897f55dff61c/6988b59f5f570f762eb23c0c/ringling-brothers-circus-08.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Business](/section/business/) ## Business Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [Companies](/tag/companies/) ## Companies Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # See Ringling Brothers' 'Greatest Show on Earth' Through the Years by [TIME Photo](/author/time-photo/) ## TIME Photo Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Jan 15, 2017 5:17 PM CUT  A performer rides an elephant to entertain the audience during Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in New York on Apr. 7, 1948. A performer rides an elephant to entertain the audience during Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in New York on Apr. 7, 1948.Earl Leaf—Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images by [TIME Photo](/author/time-photo/) ## TIME Photo Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Jan 15, 2017 5:17 PM CUT The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will [close in May](http://time.com/4635455/ringling-bros-barnum-bailey-circus-close/ "undefined"), bringing an end to more than 100 years of the famed show. With displays of exotic animals, bright costumes and daring acrobatic stunts, the circus has been a part of American culture since the mid-1800s. Ringling Bros. has two touring circuses in 2017, traveling throughout the country to perform 30 shows. The circus emerged out of Phineas Taylor Barnum’s popular traveling troupe of animals and human oddities, which joined with the five Ringling brothers, who performed skits in their home base of Wisconsin. The troupes grew and traveled across the U.S. by train, becoming routine family entertainment by the mid-1900s. See photos from the circus through the years above.  A Ringling Brothers Circus elephant walks out of a train car as young children watch in the Bronx railroad yard in New York City on April 1, 1963. AP  Visitors heading to the big top to see 'The Greatest Show On Earth' performance from the Ringling Bros, Barnum & Bailey circus, circa 1950. Keystone/FPG/Hulton Archive/Getty Images  A performer walking the rope at a Ringling Bros, Barnum & Bailey circus, circa 1955. Bob Wands—AP  Beatrice Dante puts her chimpanzee through a tight wire number in preparation for the New York opening on April 6, 1949. Ed Ford—AP  Circus bear "Fritz" seems none too pleased with his predicament as he pedals his "high strung" bicycle around at the opening of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus at Madison Square Garden in New York on April 5, 1939. Tom Sande—AP  The Picchians acrobatic act of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus rehearse for the season's opening night at Madison Square Garden in New York on April 5, 1940. Underwood Archives/Getty Images  A women and man poses with an acrobat at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in Los Angeles on Oct. 15, 1957. Earl Leaf—Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images  A performer rides an elephant to entertain the audience during Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in New York on Apr. 7, 1948. 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