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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Read moreRingmaster 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. #
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Read morePerformers entertain attendees on the final day of circus on May 21 in Uniondale, New York. #
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Read moreA child in the audience watches the circus's last show. #
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Read moreRingling 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. #
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Read moreSkater Ashley Vargas poses before taking part in the last weekend of the Ringling Bros. circus on May 19, 2017. #
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Read moreA man waves to people visible on the Ringling Bros. red unit train as it passes by on May 1, 2017, in Enfield, Connecticut, #
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Read moreChildren pose for pictures in front of a trailer after watching a show on the last day of the circus. #
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Read moreA kangaroo performs on the final day of the circus in New York. #
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Read moreCircus acrobats perform during the last show in Uniondale, New York, on May 21, 2017. #
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Read moreThe audience reacts to circus performers on the high wire on May 6, 2017, in Providence, Rhode Island. #
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Read moreAcrobats perform during the last show of the circus. #
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Read moreThe "Desert Goddesses" perform on camels during a show on May 4, 2017, in Providence, Rhode Island. #
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Read moreThe shadow of a clown during the final performance on May 21. #
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Read moreChristopher Corzo of Bound Brook, New Jersey, attends the final day of the circus on May 21. #
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Read morePerformers stage the farewell presentation on May 21. #
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Read moreRingmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson performs during the final show on May 21. #
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Read moreBig-cat trainer Alexander Lacey hugs one of the tigers during the final show. #
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Read moreKids watch the final performance on May 21. #
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Read moreDavis Vassallo, center, hugs a member of the trapeze troupe as he holds his daughter Adriana after the final show. #
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Read moreTrapeze artists perform on the final day of the circus. #
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Read moreRingling Bros. tiger trainer Taba Maluenda reacts after finishing his last performance with the red unit, on May 4, 2017, in Providence, Rhode Island. #
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Read moreRingmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson speaks as the cast and crew gather around him following the last show of the circus. #
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Read moreTatiana Tchalabaev wipes tears from her face after the final show. #
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Read moreAttendess leave the arena on the final day. #
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