S18·E40 The Ringling Brothers

Their name is synonymous with the American circus. But long before there were dramatic acrobatics, exotic animals, and special effects, the Ringling Brothers circus consisted of an all-Ringling cast. The Wisconsin-born Ringling brothers grew up in an era when the circus's arrival in town triggered an unofficial holiday. Dive into the fascinating story of how the Ringling brothers, sons of a German immigrant harness maker, came to be multi-millionaires, acquiring Barnum & Bailey, and becoming the greatest circus producers in the world. Ringling Brothers company historians’ detail how the visionary brothers helped transform their enterprise into a legendary production that would outlast them all. From a show that first traveled by way of a rented horse and a wagon to the spectacular three-ring event that journeys from town to town on mile-long trains, Biography presents an enchanting look at the rich and colorful history of The Greatest Show on Earth.