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It's time to celebrate the amazing and captivating World Circus Day on April 17! This day has been celebrated since the 1800s and marks the anniversary of the first modern circus which was created in London by Philip Astley in 1768. Since then, circus acts have become a beloved form of entertainment all around the world, delighting both young and old with its unique blend of artistry, skill, and humor. So get ready for some extraordinary fun as you join us in celebrating World Circus Day!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1768</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Modern Circus Introduced</div><div class='timeline-text'>Philip Astley in London, England, created the first modern circus, providing a model for future circus shows.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1825</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Invention of the Circus Tent</div><div class='timeline-text'>The circus tent, or "big top," was first used by Joshua Purdy Brown, allowing circuses to travel and perform anywhere.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1884</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Birth of "The Greatest Show on Earth"</div><div class='timeline-text'>P.T. Barnum and J.A. Bailey founded the Barnum & Bailey Circus which later merged with Ringling Bros. to become "The Greatest Show on Earth".</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1956</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>End of Big-Top Era, Start of Arena Shows</div><div class='timeline-text'>For financial reasons, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey moved their shows from tents to permanent venues, essentially ending the traditional big-top circus era.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1984</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Cirque du Soleil Founded</div><div class='timeline-text'>The start of contemporary circus era with the founding of Cirque du Soleil, introducing a new artistic and story-driven approach to circus performance.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2010</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First World Circus Day Celebrated</div><div class='timeline-text'>Lead by the Federation Mondiale du Cirque, the first World Circus Day was celebrated on April 17th, to honor and promote the art of circus globally.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Visit a Circus</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Nothing can beat the experience of being in an actual circus. Whether it is a local circus or you plan a trip to an international one, a visit to the circus can be exciting, entertaining, and educational!</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Throw your own circus</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Invite your friends and family over for a fun day of clowning around. Put on your own show with juggling, tightrope walking, face painting, and more.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Take a Circus Class</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>A great way to celebrate World Circus Day is to take a circus class. Juggling, trapeze, acrobatics - there are all sorts of classes available for people of all ages.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Watch Circus Movies</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Pop some popcorn, curl up on the couch and enjoy watching some classic films about the circus. From classics like The Greatest Showman to modern films like Paddington 2, there are enough circus films to watch for days.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Make Circus Snacks</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Bake some circus themed treats and snacks such as cake pops shaped like clowns, cupcakes decorated with animal crackers, or peanut butter elephants.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Circus performers are talented</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>From acrobats to clowns, the circus is full of incredibly talented performers who will make you laugh and gasp in awe. The stunts they can do, and the feats they can manage, are sure to keep your eyes glued to the ring!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's family friendly entertainment</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The circus is a great way to create memories with your family. Kids of all ages can appreciate the bright colors and daring stunts that fill each show. Plus, it's a fun way for adults to take a trip down memory lane and relive their own childhood memories of enjoying circus acts!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It promotes creativity & imagination</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The circus encourages people of all ages to use their imaginations and explore their creative side. It provides an opportunity for kids to learn about different cultures, music genres, animals, and art forms from around the world. Taking time away from screens to experience something new and exciting is always a great learning experience!</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Circuses have their own special lingo</h3><p class='facts-content'>Terms like "First of May", "gilly", and "pie car" have special meanings in circus jargon, reflecting the rich culture and history behind circuses.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Circuses have always been at the forefront of innovation</h3><p class='facts-content'>Many items common in our everyday lives, such as aluminum flagpoles and the safety pin, were invented in the circus. Alfred L. Carlton, who worked for P.T. Barnum, invented the safety pin and patented it in 1849.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Philip Astley is considered the father of the modern circus</h3><p class='facts-content'>Although he never called his show a circus, Astley's performances of horse riding tricks in a circular arena, known as the circus ring, formed a staple of performances in later circuses.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Circus tents were considered the largest movable structures</h3><p class='facts-content'>World's largest circus tents could seat upwards of 15,000 spectators, with the ringling circus using a canvas that required more than 100 wagons to transport.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Circus performers are highly-trained professionals</h3><p class='facts-content'>Whether they are aerialists, clowns or acrobats, circus performers are usually rigorously trained from a young age, showcasing their physical strength, flexibility, and artistry in these unique performances.</p></div></div>
World Circus Day is celebrated on April 17th every year. In 2024, World Circus Day will occur on a Wednesday.
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