Christopher Brooks Jr., age 13, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., for his question:
WHEN DID THE FIRST AMERICAN CIRCUS OPEN?
Modern circuses developed in England during the 1700s. Small shows with riding acts, jugglers and clowns quickly came to America but the first real American circus was established in Philadelphia in 1792. It was called Rickett's Circus.
The golden age of the American circus didn't start until the late 1800s, however. By that time, 10 large circuses toured the country. Each boasted that it was the biggest or the best. Each circus also tried to outdo the others with new acts and new kinds of animals.
One of the greatest early circuses was established in 1871 by an outstanding showman named Phineas T. Barnum. Barnum came up with the slogan "Greatest Show on Earth."
In 1881, Barnum combined his show with the James A. Bailey Circus. The combined show was called the Barnum, Bailey and Hutchinson Circus. After 1886, this circus operated under the name of Barnum and Bailey's Greatest Show on Earth.
In 1884, the five Ringling brothers started a major rival show in Baraboo, Wisc. The Ringlings bought the Barnum and Bailey show in 1907 and they joined the two circuses in 1919 to form the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus. This became the largest and most famous circus in history.
The Ringling family sold the circus and the use of its name in 1967.
Today circuses travel by train or truck. But in the old days, circuses traveled from town to town in bright wagons pulled by horses. The shows were held in large canvas tents called "tops" with the main acts appearing in the largest tent, called the "big top." Ringling's largest tent was 500 feet long and 200 feet wide. It seated more than 12,000 persons.
Today, most traveling circuses appear in city auditoriums or stadiums, although a number of smaller shows still appear under tents.
Circuses used to parade through the city's streets before the opening performance.
The first circuses were held thousands of years ago. The ancient Roman circuses featured chariot races and battles between warriors.
Roman circuses were held outdoors in large arenas. The largest Roman arena, the Circus Maximus, seated about 180,000 persons.
Today, circuses travel during the spring, summer and fall. In the late fall, the performers give their last performances of the season and head for winter quarters. During the off season they work hard preparing for the next season. Wild animal trainers start to train new jungle beasts. Acrobats, trapeze artists and other circus stars practice long hours on new presentations. Other circus workers make new costumes, mend equipment and take care of the animals.
Many tourists visit the Circus Hall of Fame and the Ringling Circus Museum each year in Sarasota, Fla.