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Ringling Bros. World's Greatest Shows

Updated Jun 26, 2025
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Ringling Bros. World's Greatest Shows
A photo of a lithograph of five elephants playing tubas. Ringling Bros. World's Greatest Shows ... the Funny, Wonderful Elephant Brass Band
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RIP Ringling Brothers circus (1884 - 5/2017.) A poster for the circus, 1899 (proving that the elephants were always the attraction).
Goodbye Ringling Brothers
Photo of Terri Toebbe Terri Toebbe
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01/15/2017
Love the art but So thankful that the circus is extinct!
Photo of Marci Sturgis Marci Sturgis
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01/15/2017
All my children were able to experience this marvelous show, not the grandchildren though
Photo of Tonya Clark Marinaro Tonya Clark Marinaro
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01/15/2017
THE NEXT GENERATION WONT KNOW WHAT A CIRCUS WAS ALL BECAUSE OF P.E.T.A.
Photo of Isabel Carvalho Isabel Carvalho
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01/15/2017
Oh dear, now how on earth will they learn about animal abuse. Maybe you can take them to a rodeo.
Photo of Erin Kuchinsky Erin Kuchinsky
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01/15/2017
All because of people who think being cruel to another animal for our entertainment is wrong, actually.
Photo of Ruby King Ruby King
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01/15/2017
Not a rodeo, a bull fight. Now THAT is the definition of the torture and abuse of animals. I do love when matadors get gored to death on camera though. lol
Photo of Terri Toebbe Terri Toebbe
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01/15/2017
As an advocate for animal rights and speaking for them that cannot, let me yell with jubilation that this abomination is gone. Elephants are perhaps more empathic than humans but that isn't the only reason. They're fellow earthlings and deserve a natural, unfettered life. As well as lions and tigers and bears plus monkeys. All of whom were stolen from their parents, tribes and homeland for foolish human entertainment.
THe kids will live. These animals live unnatural, miserable lives.
Photo of Melanie Helmke Melanie Helmke
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01/15/2017
The circus killed itself by mistreating animals...
Photo of Shelley Moore Shelley Moore
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01/15/2017
Thank you for sharing examples for the historical record of an organization that flourished at the expense of innocent wild animals. Thank god we are moving forward, past spectacles of cruelty and suffering. Good riddance to this disgusting business.
Photo of AncientFaces AncientFaces
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01/15/2017
You're right - historically, the circus was entertainment, often the only entertainment for a community. But as we have come to understand that elephants, especially, are intelligent, caring beings, the "use" of them has become unpopular (as well as other animals). Ringling Bros. stated in its press release that no longer using elephants in their acts was a big part of declining attendance. History is what it is - and hopefully, in many areas, we have come to understand (and act) differently.
Photo of Shelley Moore Shelley Moore
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01/15/2017
AncientFaces Indeed! There are so many examples of how different things are now, but context really is everything even when examining what we now consider to be wrong. I'm pretty sure in a hundred years we, and I include myself in this, will be judged by future standards and moralities, probably harshly as well!
Photo of Dan Miller Dan Miller
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01/15/2017
PT Barnum & Charlie Chan 🐶
Photo of Zelda Baskerville Zelda Baskerville
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01/15/2017
I have an original poster!
Photo of Barbara Cinninger Metzger Barbara Cinninger Metzger
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01/15/2017
The end of an era, so sad.
Photo of Cindy Kagan Cindy Kagan
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01/15/2017
A horrible era.
Photo of Laura J Lowe Laura J Lowe
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01/15/2017
Sad to see them close. I always liked going to the circus. Not all the animals at the circus were abused but because of the crowd who thinks all or nothing we are now losing a lost art!
Photo of AncientFaces AncientFaces
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01/15/2017
I was scared at the circus - but that's just me. (The animals, not the clowns :) ) Everyone of a certain age went to the circus. It was obligatory!!
Photo of Melanie Helmke Melanie Helmke
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01/15/2017
Not all the animals at the circus were abused

So you believe it's ok to abuse some of the animals?
Photo of Heather Gibson Heather Gibson
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01/15/2017
the fact they were there was abuse..either born in captivity or captured wild they do/did not belong there for our intertainment
Photo of Diane Romero Diane Romero
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01/16/2017
Yes all the animals were abused!
Photo of Carroll MacDonald Carroll MacDonald
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01/15/2017
Sorry for the loss of family business... but the animals will be so much happier.
Photo of Donna Carter Donna Carter
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01/15/2017
I am old enough to have seen circuses in Big Tops and I've seem two in arenas. I understand the animal part but it is an experience that my great grandchildren won't get to have.
Photo of Beverly Ritter Beverly Ritter
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01/15/2017
I am glad that it's over. Those poor animals suffered more than any of us will ever know. I went once when I was 11 and I would never go again
Photo of Mark Gonzalez Mark Gonzalez
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01/15/2017
You can always visit the the John and Mabel Ringling House and Museum in Sarasota Fla.
Photo of Gina Kingsbury Gina Kingsbury
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01/15/2017
Love the graphics but have never been a fan of circuses, so bye-bye.
Photo of Kegan Mahon Kegan Mahon
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01/15/2017
Circuses brought it upon themselves, unfortunately. All they had to do was to treat their animals better.
Photo of Pamela Dieffenbach Nardiello Pamela Dieffenbach Nardiello
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01/15/2017
Glad it is over. Never felt comfortable with the circus!
Photo of Karen Watson Karen Watson
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01/15/2017
It is a shame that we are losing the circus. While I think it is good to move on from certain animal acts, I think there are other circus acts that could keep it going. The activists should have tried to come up with solutions vs. shutting down the whole thing.
Our ancestors enjoyed the circus and I remember hearing stories of when the circus came to town. Kids could not wait to see the parade and then hope and dream that their parents would take them to see the spectacle. I was very young but, I also remember seeing a circus parade or two in the 60's. I think there are some stories about the circus train, too.
Photo of Melanie Helmke Melanie Helmke
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01/15/2017
It is good to move on from certain animal acts

If the circus abuses animals, which do you cut and which do you keep? Save the elephants but it's ok to hurt the Tigers and the monkeys? What's the pecking order? Why protect some and not all?
Photo of Karen Watson Karen Watson
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01/15/2017
There are some animal acts with dogs, cats, birds, horses. Many of which say they use rescued animals. They can also have education shows with tigers, elephants, and others that would not be considered abuse.
Photo of Melanie Helmke Melanie Helmke
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01/15/2017
While it sounds good in theory, the animals would still be abused. They still claim they need to use bull hooks to keep the elephants in line. Tasers keep tigers from the front of the cage. To keep wild animals in cages and traveling on trains is abuse within itself.

While the animals would not performing per say, they would still need to be trained and corralled and that is where the abuse happens.

Even with the cats and dogs. Kennels on trains for days is awful. When does the dog get to run and play? Can you picture a cat, days on a train in a carrier? What it must do to their health!

The circus could have carried on with other, non animal shows, Cirque du Soleil makes a killing.
Photo of Steven T. Carissimo Steven T. Carissimo
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01/15/2017
Stupid societal wanna be do gooders...another American Institution gone because our society feels that a safe room where nothing can hurt them ...is a lot more fun
Photo of Melanie Helmke Melanie Helmke
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01/15/2017
Why don't you just say you're ok with animal abuse?
Photo of Steven T. Carissimo Steven T. Carissimo
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01/15/2017
I agree there could have been a lot more enforcement on the protection of the animals, it shouldn't mean that the circus had to be put out of business because idiots and the public "outcry" deemed it necessary to boycott and therefore take another piece of history and tradition and toss it away in favor of more kinder, gentler and pablum smeared public coddling activities like finger painting in the park.

I do not condone animal cruelty, but instead of working against the circus, there could have been a pro active alternative for both sides...so, don't tell me that I should be ok with abuse of any kind...you don't know me, if you did and actually took the time to try and ask why I posted what i did instead of jumping on my comment...you would have known what I think.....right now I think you just need to find a safe room so life can't get in and doesn't hurt your feelings
Photo of Melanie Helmke Melanie Helmke
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01/15/2017
Steven, no one said the circus needed to stop. They just needed to stop the animal shows and fill in with other circus acts. They chose to only do away with the elephants while still abusing other animals. Cirque du Soleil has no problems selling out and with outrageous ticket prices.

As to me jumping on your post, it's not as if your post was so friendly. Is being rude exclusive to yourself? Cause let me tell you, I can hold my own in the department... 😇
Photo of Anna Gadberry Anna Gadberry
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01/15/2017
"Are you serious a safe room where nothing hurt can them...is a lot more fun". You mean animals being abused that don't the option to leave and can't defend themselves? Are f****** kidding me? Is that the safe room you are referring too? No one said he circus had to close. They made that decision on their own they could easily have taken the animal acts out.
Photo of Melanie Helmke Melanie Helmke
via Facebook
01/15/2017
For those saying there was no animal abuse

Having watched the circus train come to town yearly, (they unloaded right in front of my house), I believe there was some truth to the abuse.

The elephant car was packed worse than sardines. Watching how many elephants came out of those cars was unbelievable.

I once watched them threaten a tiger with a tazer like pole while the poor cat was caged. They weren't even doing anything with him. Just walked by and zapper the taser.
Poor tiger..

Maybe it wasn't as bad as the claims, but that is NOT a good life for any animal
Photo of Carmela Ferriol Carmela Ferriol
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01/15/2017
Good riddance. Grubby money makers on the heels of suffering.
Photo of Cordelia Garcia Cordelia Garcia
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01/15/2017
Loved them
Photo of Terri Allen Terri Allen
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01/15/2017
Sad to see the end of an era. I have been to the circus a few times. My favorite was when I was eleven. The only time I got to see a traditional circus set up. It was magical. Sorry that circuses couldn't find a way to continue some how.
Photo of Jackie Lingle Jackie Lingle
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01/15/2017
I saw this show in person for the first time with my son who was only 4 months old, he couldn't stop watching it, even though he was tired, I couldn't believe a baby that young would be interested but he was, Ringling Bros will be missed by further generations to come
Photo of Ed Prince Ed Prince
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01/15/2017
Damn peta
Photo of Jill Weiner Jill Weiner
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01/15/2017
It's about time! No more animal abuse!
But now the little local traveling circuses will be bigger. More animal abuse in these maw and paw outfits.
Photo of Peggy Maynard Peggy Maynard
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01/15/2017
My grandmother in the 1920's was Lady Godiva a horse back trick rider & grandfather was a roust about.
Photo of Jan Burrell Jan Burrell
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01/15/2017
Interesting history - the co could have developed these areas
Photo of Peggy Maynard Peggy Maynard
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01/15/2017
They were in show biz. Great grandmother & grandmother were actresses & models for a couple of studios in Hollywood. Grandfather was half Cherokee/ cowboy & was in a few of Tom Mix silent films & a bootlegger too.
Photo of Lisa Young Napier Lisa Young Napier
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01/15/2017
If they remove the animal acts I would go. Plenty to see without that.
Photo of Bud Wiser Bud Wiser
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01/15/2017
Sad to see it end. Man
Photo of Lisa Sleight Lisa Sleight
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01/15/2017
I'm taking my 23 year old daughter to see the circus Feb . I didn't know it would be our last. ☹️
Photo of Mary Smith Mary Smith
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01/16/2017
I like the posters, they could be collected and worth something.
Photo of DeAnn Pautler DeAnn Pautler
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01/16/2017
Sad :(
Photo of Frances K. DeDura Frances K. DeDura
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01/16/2017
MY hearts desire.....to have all circus's and any type of sea world SHUT DOWN.
Photo of Diane Romero Diane Romero
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01/16/2017
Glad to see it go! Abused animals should NEVER be entertainment!
Photo of William Shreve William Shreve
via Facebook
01/16/2017
Peta can kiss my a**. I can see stopping abuse, that's not a problem. But the oldest circus is done. They have been trying to shut down zoos. After that whats next? A ban on hunting?eating meat? No pets? Where does it end.
Photo of Leticia Elisa Solorzano Leticia Elisa Solorzano
via Facebook
01/18/2017
Great times with my mom back in the 60's & 70's she loved the circus
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