Bethel’s Native Son P.T. Barnum: The Greatest Showman on Earth

Do you even know who Phineas Taylor Barnum is? It depends on when you were born.

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P.T. Barnum was the founder of the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus – branded as The Greatest Show on Earth. He essentially was responsible for the launch and ultimate success of the greatest circus this country has ever known. The circus began in 1872 and ran for 146 years before staging its last performance in 2017. The reason for its closing was declining attendance combined with high operating costs and costly legal battles with animal rights groups, such as the one to eliminate elephant acts.