The 19th-century American Circus

A The American circus was born in Philadelphia in 1793, during the term of the first U.S. president, George Washington. Founded by Englishman John Bill Ricketts, this early circus established the common features of most American circuses over the next century and beyond: tricks with animals, especially horses, acrobats performing startling feats, and clowns. Ricketts was himself a highly skilled trick rider whose most famous stunt was riding at full speed while holding a child over his head...