Philip Astley's shows became very popular, and Astley began to add additional acts including: acrobats, tightrope walkers, dancers, jugglers, and clowns. Astley opened the first circus in Paris called Amphitheatre Anglois.
Philip Astley's student, Charles Hughs and partner Charles Dibdin started the Royal Circus and Equestrian Philharmonic in 1782, which the partners brought to Russia.
In 1793, Charles Hugh’s own former student John Bill Ricketts, opened the first circus in the United States in Philadelphia. In 1797, John Bill Ricketts opened the first Canadian circus in Montreal.
First Circus tent
In 1825, American Joshuah Purdy Brown invented the canvas cirus tent.
First Flying Trapeze Act
In 1859, Jules Leotard invented the flying trapeze act in which he jumped from one trapeze to the next. The leotard is named after Jules Leotard.
The Side Show - Barnum & Bailey Circus
In 1871, Phineas Taylor Barnum started the P.T. Barnum’s Museum, Menagerie & Circus in Brooklyn, New York, which featured the first Side Show.In 1881, P.T. Barnum and James Anthony Bailey formed a partnership started the Barnum & Bailey Circus. Barnum advertised his circus with the now famous expression "The Greatest Show on Earth." (See photo above)
The Ringling Brothers
In 1884, the Ringling Brothers started their first circus.- Charles Ringling (1864 - 1926)
- John Ringling (1866 - 1936)
