Chang and EngArticle Free Pass Chang and Eng, (born May 11,
1811, Meklong, Siam [now Thailand]—died Jan. 16/17, 1874, Mount
Airy, N.C., U.S.), congenitally joined twins who gained
worldwide fame for their anatomical anomaly. As a result of
their fame, the term Siamese twin came to denote the condition
of being one of a pair of conjoined twins (of any nationality).
Chang and Eng, joined at the waist by a tubular band of tissue
about 3.25 inches (8 cm) long and about 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) in
diameter, were born of a half-Chinese mother and a Chinese
father. Their anatomical peculiarity caused them to be sought
after as children, and they even had an audience with the king
of Siam. In 1829 Chang and Eng in the “hire” of a British
merchant left Siam, and throughout the following decade they
traveled around the eastern United States and in Canada, Cuba,
and Europe. Until they reached the age of 21, they traveled with
their sponsor, who received the earnings from their exhibition.
After that, they took charge of thei