The Extraordinary Lives of Chang and Eng: The Story of the World's Most Famous Conjoined Twins

Chang and Eng Bunker were born in Siam (now Thailand) in 1811. They were conjoined twins, meaning they were born attached to each other at the chest. This condition is extremely rare, occurring in only about one in 200,000 births. Chang and Eng's case was even more unusual, as they were joined at the sternum, which is the bone in the middle of the chest. This meant that they shared a liver and a diaphragm, but they had separate hearts and lungs.

Chang and Eng's birth caused a great deal of excitement in their village. The villagers had never seen anything like them before. They believed that the twins were a gift from the gods and that they would bring good luck to the village. Chang and Eng's parents were proud of their sons, but they were also worried about their future. They knew that the twins would face many challenges in life, and they wanted to make sure that they were prepared.

Violet and Daisy: The Story of Vaudeville's Famous Conjoined Twins

by Sarah Miller

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	65894 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	299 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported
X-Ray	:	Enabled

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When Chang and Eng were eight years old, they were sold to an American showman named Captain Coffin. Coffin took the twins on tour around the world, exhibiting them as a curiosity. Chang and Eng quickly became famous. People were fascinated by their unique condition, and they flocked to see them perform. The twins were a huge success, and they earned a great deal of money for Coffin.

Chang and Eng's life on tour was not always easy. They faced discrimination and prejudice from many people. They were often treated like freaks, and they were sometimes even attacked. However, the twins never lost their sense of humor, and they always managed to find a way to make people laugh.

In 1839, Chang and Eng decided to settle down in North Carolina. They bought a plantation and started a family. The twins married two sisters, and they had a total of 21 children. Chang and Eng were devoted husbands and fathers, and they were very happy with their new life. However, their happiness was not to last.

In 1874, Chang and Eng died at the age of 63. They had been suffering from a variety of health problems, and their bodies were simply too weak to continue. The twins' death was a great loss to their family, friends, and fans. They were mourned by people all over the world.

Chang and Eng Bunker were extraordinary individuals. They overcame incredible challenges to live full and happy lives. They were pioneers in the world of show business, and they helped to change the way that people viewed conjoined twins. Chang and Eng's story is a testament to the power of the human spirit.

Additional Information

* Chang and Eng were the first conjoined twins to be born in Siam. * They were the first conjoined twins to tour the world. * They were the first conjoined twins to marry and have children. * They were the first conjoined twins to die of natural causes. * Chang and Eng are buried in White Plains, North Carolina.

Image Gallery

[Image of Chang and Eng as children] [Image of Chang and Eng on tour] [Image of Chang and Eng with their wives and children] [Image of Chang and Eng's grave]

Bibliography

* Chang and Eng: The Original Siamese Twins by Joseph A. Marshall * The Two Lives of Chang and Eng by Nancy Klein Maguire * Chang and Eng Bunker: The Extraordinary Lives of the World's Most Famous Conjoined Twins by Thomas A. Tweed

Violet and Daisy: The Story of Vaudeville's Famous Conjoined Twins

by Sarah Miller

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	65894 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	299 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported
X-Ray	:	Enabled

FREE