“Siamese Twins” Are First Exhibited
The term "Siamese twins" refers to conjoined twins Chang and Eng Bunker, who were born in 1811 in Siam, now Thailand, and became public figures in the 19th century. They were brought to Boston in 1829 for exhibition, which was a common form of entertainment at that time, often seen as part of "freak shows." Their unique condition attracted significant public attention, leading to a successful touring career across various locations in the United States, ultimately popularizing the term "Siamese twins" to describe any twins joined at birth. Today, the preferred terminology is "conjoined twins." Chang and Eng became American citizens, married sisters, and together fathered more than 20 children. Their lives reflected a complex blend of personal and public experiences, marked by fame, family, and the challenges of their unique physical condition. Tragically, both brothers died within hours of each other in 1874, following Chang's sudden illness, illustrating the profound bond they shared. The story of Chang and Eng continues to evoke discussions about identity, medical conditions, and societal perceptions of differences.
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“Siamese Twins” Are First Exhibited
“Siamese Twins” Are First Exhibited
The term Siamese twins comes from two twins, Chang and Eng Bunker, who were born physically joined at the sternum in 1811 in the Asian country of Siam, now known as Thailand. They were discovered by some foreign merchants, who brought them to Boston, Massachusetts, on August 16, 1829, for public exhibition. In that day and age, “freak show” exhibits were not uncommon as part of circus performances and other entertainment attractions. The exhibition of the twins was a popular sensation and a commercial success for many years as they went on tour from Boston to other destinations, so much so that the term Siamese twins became a generic term for twins joined at birth by mutually shared living tissue. Today, conjoined twins is generally considered to be the better term for this condition.
Chang and Eng enjoyed a successful career, became American citizens, and took the last name of Bunker. They settled in North Carolina where they married two sisters, Adelaide and Sally Yates. The two couples had a combined total of over 20 children in what must surely have been one of the world's oddest familial situations. In 1874 Chang, a heavy drinker, came down with pneumonia and died suddenly on the night of January 17. Eng died a few hours later, before doctors could perform emergency surgery to separate him from his deceased brother.