American Circus Day

American Circus Day is an annual holiday in the United States dedicated to celebrating the circus. It falls on April 3 and invites you to remember the origins of circus art in the United States and how it has evolved over time!

History

Circus art in its modern form first appeared in England in the late 18th century. The man who played a pivotal role in its birth and development was Philip Astley. He opened a riding school in 1793, where, after lessons from morning until noon, he would showcase various tricks and small circus performances. One of his students, Bill Ricketts, moved to the United States and held his first outdoor performance in Philadelphia. More than a thousand spectators gathered to watch the spectacular circus stunts, though the arena could seat only 800.

In 1825, D. P. Brown proposed the use of tarpaulin tents, giving circus performers the opportunity to tour various cities and countries. This innovation allowed them to erect a stage for their performances anywhere, making stationary arenas obsolete.

Phineas Barnum significantly contributed to the development of the circus. Together with his partner, W.K. Koop, he created a museum, menagerie, and circus, introducing animals more frequently into circus performances. Gradually, D. Bailey and the Ringling brothers joined the team. The American circus became a symbol of the Age of Capitalism and Industrialism, with performances attracting about ten thousand spectators. Today, the circus continues to evolve, constantly inventing new tricks and performances to ensure that audiences are always amazed and entertained!

Interesting Facts

• The circus arena is standardized worldwide, with a diameter of 13 meters (42 feet). However, the number of seats in the hall may vary.
• Pantomimes and wrestling between wild animals were introduced to circus art by the Italian Farkoni family.
• Performances with trained animals became popular only in the late 1900s.

How to Celebrate

Get together with family or friends to attend circus performances on this day. Learn more about how circus performers prepare for various stunts that seem dangerous and always evoke strong emotions in the audience.

Spread the word about the holiday on social media. Ask users if they enjoy attending circus performances!

When is American Circus Day in 2025?

American Circus Day is observed on April 3 each year.

Observations