1982 Event "Barnum" closes at St. James Theater New York City after 854 performances 1980 Event "Barnum" opens at St. James Theater New York City for 854 performances 1956 Event Last Ringling Bros, Barnum and Bailey Circus under a canvas tent 1944 Event World's largest circus tent catches fire at Ringling Brother's - Barnum and Bailey 2nd performance, 168 die (Hartford Conn) 1935 Birthday Jim Dale, born in Rothwell, England, Broadway actor, Barnum, My One and Only 1907 Event Ringling Brothers Greatest Show on Earth buys Barnum and Bailey circus 1906 Death James A Bailey, circus showman (Barnum and Bailey), dies at 58 1891 Death Phineas T Barnum, U.S. circus promoter (B and Bailey), dies at 88 1891 Death P. T. Barnum, American Entertainer 1883 Event Fire at uninsured Newhall Hotel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin kills 71. General Tom Thumb of P T Barnum fame, escapes unhurt 1882 Event Circus owner PT Barnum buys his world famous elephant Jumbo 1881 Event Greatest Show On Earth was formed by PT Barnum and James A Bailey 1881 Event Barnum and Bailey's Greatest Show on Earth opens (MSG) 1881 Event Barnum and Bailey Circus debuts 1873 Event P. T. Barnum's circus, "Greatest Show on Earth," debuts (New York City) 1873 Event P. T. Barnum Hippodrome featuring "Greatest Show on Earth," opens (New York City) 1865 Event PT Barnum's New American museum opens in Bridgeport 1865 Event P. T. Barnum's museum burns down 1863 Event P. T. Barnum stages wedding of Tom Thumb and Mercy Lavinia Warren (New York City) 1847 Birthday James Anthony Bailey, Detroit, circus impresario, Barnum and Bailey 1835 Event P. T. Barnum and his circus begin 1st tour of US 1833 Birthday Henry Alanson Barnum, Major General Union volunteers 1810 Birthday Phineas Taylor Barnum, Bethel Conn, circus promoter, Barnum and Bailey 1810 Birthday P. T. Barnum, American Entertainer 1810 Birthday Phineas T Barnum, circus magnate
