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Known for his moving circus and museum, with the exhibition of Charles Stratton, the celebrated dwarf "General Tom Thumb", as well as the Fiji Mermaid, Barnum is considered to be one of the most primitive yet celebrated show-man in the history. In 1835 he began his career as a showman with his purchase and exhibition of a blind and almost completely paralyzed African-American slave woman, Joice Heth, claimed by Barnum to have been the nurse of George Washington, and to be over 160 years old.
The original circus was called simply the P. T. Barnum Circus. He then merged with his competitor and formed the Barnum & Bailey Circus. When Barnum died, Bailey ran the circus. When Bailey died, the Ringling Brothers bought them out. That's how we get the incredibly long Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
Barnum had a gift for finding people for his sideshow. Fat ladies, giants, midgets, jugglers, bearded ladies, the tattooed man, Jo-Jo the dog-faced boy were all grist for Barnum's shows
The major attractions of his circus which during the 18th century were on a move all over America were: - Charles Sherwood Stratton of Bridgeport, Connecticut, better known to the world as Tom Thumb or General Tom Thumb who was only 4 years old and 25 inches tall. As Thumb matured he never grew taller than 40 inches, a perfect addition to Barnum's attraction. The relationship grew for 40 years. They toured the capitals of Europe, and together they entertained kings and queens. They were a sensation as a touring act as well as a circus attraction until Tom Thumb's premature death in 1883.
 - Jumbo the elephant, 11.5 feet tall and weighing 6.5 tons, was a star attraction until he was killed in a railroad accident at the age of 24. But even then, Barnum, never one to overlook an opportunity, used Jumbo's hide and skeleton for exhibition.
- Chang and Eng, the Siamese twins, who became another popular exhibit for the circus.
- P. T. Barnum also brought the famous singer, Jenny Lind, the Swedish Nightingale, to the United States on an immensely publicized tour.
He introduced more terms into our language than any other modern person. Sample these: - Jumbo - This was the name of the world's largest elephant. However, the fame that Barnum created for the elephant allowed for the term to become part of our language.
- Throwing your hat in the ring was coined when a local politician actually threw his hat into Barnum's circus ring after declaring his candidacy.
- Grandstanding referred to prominent people who would sit in the best stands at the circus to be noticed.
- Let's get the show on the road was P. T.'s declaration when he thought of moving circus
- The Greatest Show on Earth - what else would you call a large circus?
- Siamese Twins - He made his living showing off freaks (clearly not a politically correct term today). He had two called Chang and Eng
- Rain or Shine - by using the famous big top, the show always went on, no matter how bad the weather was.
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