“The Greatest Show On Earth” takes its final bow. The circus has been entertainment across the United States for 146 years, bringing exotic animals, flashy costumes, and acrobats to audiences since the mid-1800s. Phineas Taylor Barnum made a wholesome family traveling spectacular of humans and animals worldwide wowing audiences each place the traveling train stopped. Over the centuries, the crowds became less and less interested in the show and conversations about animal cruelty arose. In 2016, the company removed elephants from the shows after a long legal battle and the show never fully recovered. “We know now that one of the major reasons people came to Ringling Bros. was getting to see elephants”, said Juliette Field, the company’s chief operating officer. PETA has protested Ringling Bros. for years. The animal rights organization had been very outspoken about the inhumane treatment of the circus animals, claiming the animals were kept in cramped cages and chains and have greatly sacrificed their quality of life living on the road and performing on command. “PETA wants these animals to be placed in reputable sanctuaries where their specific needs will be met,” a PETA attorney stated. From an agency view, animal rights certainly played a role in the circus’ historic closing, but also credit should be given to the digital era boom that began in the 20th century. Movies, television, video games, and the Internet captured people’s minds and the circus just didn’t have the technical swag to stay relevant in changing times. Frankly, the show does not always have to go on.