The glory days of the Greatest Show on Earth
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will take its final curtain call in May, after nearly 150 years in business
Trainer Edward Healy and an elephant during the 90th annual Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus in New York's Madison Square Garden on March 31, 1960.
(AP Photo/Harvey Lippman)Last year, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus eliminated elephant performances. And now, the parent company's CEO Kenneth Feld has announced the circus
Clown Emmett Kelly picks up a toddler during a circus parade in New York on April 9, 1945.
(AP Photo/Anthony Camerano)
An audience at New York's Bellevue Hospital watches circus elephants on April 21, 1950. Thirteen acts were presented during the one-hour show.
(AP Photo/Tom Fitzsimmons)
Ilonka Karoly, 17-year-old ballerina, performs in New York on May 12, 1956.
(AP Photo/Robert Kradin)
Fred Johnson puts the final touches on huge circus museum banners in Wisconsin on July 14, 1959.
(AP Photo/Edward Kitch)
Animal trainer Trevor Bale growls at one of his tigers in New York on March 31, 1955.
(AP Photo/Marty Lederhandler)
The Loyal-Repensky troupe of riding performers on two cantering white houses during dress rehearsal at Madison Square Garden on April 4, 1944.
(AP Photo/Anthony Camerano)
An elephant walks out of a train in the Bronx railroad yard on April 1, 1963.
(AP Photo)
