What Are Three Forms of Entertainment in the Late 1800’s?

In the late 1880’s, three popular forms of entertainment were vaudeville variety shows, the circus and baseball. The 1880’s saw vaudeville bring together diverse theatrical acts, the circus expand under the big top to three rings, and the merger of professional baseball leagues.

The vaudeville performances grew in popularity across America with over 25,000 performers ranging from comedians and singers to acrobats and animal acts. The merging of the Barnum and Bailey circuses and the introduction of famed elephant, Jumbo, in 1882 kept the circus in the center ring while baseball was blazing the trail for professional sports as entertainment.