After a run of 146 years, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, known as "The Greatest Show on Earth," has come to an end. The final sold-out performance took place Sunday in Uniondale, New York. Years of battles with animal-rights activists had led the circus to retire its performing elephants last year, which appeared to worsen already-dropping attendance numbers, sealing its fate. One of the two Ringling Bros. traveling circus units put on its final show in Rhode Island earlier this month, and the other unit closed the circus down last night with a grand finale in New York.
The Finale of 'The Greatest Show on Earth'
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Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson poses for a portrait before taking part in the last weekend of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, on May 19, 2017. #
Lucas Jackson / Reuters -
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Ringling Bros. trainer Taba Maluenda performs with a white tiger during a show on May 4, 2017, in Providence, Rhode Island. Maluenda has been with some of the cats for 13 years, and has raised them from cubs. But they’re owned by Feld Entertainment, which owns Ringling, and he has to say goodbye. #
Julie Jacobson / AP -
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