19th Century Porcelain Figurine depicting Chang & Eng Bunker the conjoined twins

Chang and Eng Bunker, born on May 11, 1811, in Siam (modern-day Thailand), were conjoined twin brothers. Their condition inspired the term "Siamese twins," which became synonymous with conjoined twins in general. Of Chinese descent, the brothers were brought to the United States in 1829, where they became famous as curiosities in "freak shows" and exhibitions in America and Europe.

Initially, the public was sympathetic towards them, and after a few years of touring under management, they took control of their own performances. They first displayed their athletic skills but later shifted to more formal parlor conversations in English. After gaining financial success, the twins settled near Mount Airy, North Carolina, in 1839, where they became American citizens, married local sisters, and fathered 21 children.

In 1874, Chang died, and Eng passed away just hours later. An autopsy revealed their livers were fused. Their remarkable lives have since been fictionalized to symbolize unity and discord, particularly during the Civil War era.