The Miss America beauty pageant, a cherished American tradition, has been a symbol of grace, talent, and beauty for nearly a century.
Since its inception in the early 1920s, this iconic pageant has not only celebrated the accomplishments and charisma of young women from across the nation but has also mirrored the societal shifts and evolving ideals of America.
The origins of beauty pageants in the United States can be traced back to the late 19th century.
One of the earliest documented beauty pageants in the country was the “Atlantic City Pageant,” held in 1854 in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
This event laid the groundwork for what would later become the Miss America Pageant.
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iss America 1922, Margaret Gorman. There she is, the very first Miss America! Margaret Gorman dons her best Americana garb on Sept. 6, 1922 in Atlantic City, N.J.
In 1921, the Miss America Pageant made its debut in Atlantic City. It was initially conceived as a way to extend the tourist season beyond Labor Day, drawing visitors to the beachside resort town.
The pageant hosted the winners of local newspaper beauty contests in the “Inter-City Beauty” Contest, which was attended by over one hundred thousand people.
Sixteen-year-old Margaret Gorman of Washington, D.C., was crowned Miss America 1921, having won both the popularity and beauty contests, and was awarded $100.
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Miss America 1947, 1940. Even back in the 1940s, Miss America beauties weren’t afraid to show a little skin. Along with their crowns, these winners also donned capes and were given wands and trophies. Barbara Jo Walker (left) was crowned Miss America 1947 and France Burke was named Miss America 1940 (right).
In the 1930s, the beauty contests introduced the talent competition, elevating the event beyond a mere beauty contest.
Contestants were now expected to demonstrate their skills and talents, which ranged from singing and dancing to playing musical instruments and performing dramatic monologues.
This innovation recognized that beauty was not the sole measure of a woman’s worth and added depth to the competition.
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First Miss America pageant, 1921. These bathing beauties lined up for the judges on the Atlantic City boardwalk in September 1921 during the very first Miss America pageant.
The popularity of the Miss America pageant prompted other organizations to establish similar contests in the 1950s and beyond.
Some were significant while others were trivial, such as the National Donut Queen contest. The Miss World contest started in 1951, Miss Universe started in 1952 as did Miss USA. Miss International started in 1960.
Miss Asia Pacific International which started in 1968 is the first and oldest beauty pageant in Asia.
The Miss Black America contest started in 1968 in response to the exclusion of African-American women from the Miss America pageant.
The Miss Universe Organization started the Miss Teen USA in 1983 for the 14-19 age group.
Miss Earth started in 2001, which channels the beauty pageant entertainment industry as an effective tool to actively promote the preservation of the environment.
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Miss America 1923, Mary Katherine Campbell, sits on her throne as she attends the Rolling Chair Parade in Atlantic City. Miss America clutches her shiny crown as she greets the crowds.
The requirement for contestants to wear a swimsuit was a controversial aspect of the various competitions.
The controversy was heightened with the increasing popularity of the bikini after its introduction in 1946. The bikini was banned for the Miss America contest in 1947 because of Roman Catholic protesters.
When the Miss World contest started in 1951, there was an outcry when the winner was crowned in a bikini.
Pope Pius XII condemned the crowning as sinful, and countries with religious traditions threatened to withdraw delegates.
The bikini was banned for future and other contests. It was not until the late 1990s that they became permitted again.
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Here’s the 1923 pageant crowned Mary Katherine Campbell Miss America for the second year in a row. Campbell is joined by (left to right) pageant director Mr. Nichol, King Neptune and the first Miss America, Margaret Gorman in Atlantic City, NJ.
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King Neptune, an old school Miss America staple, crowns Miss Philadelphia Ruth Malcolmson Miss America 1924.
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At just 15 years old, Marian Bergeron from Connecticut was crowned Miss America 1933.
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All of these bikini-clad beauties were vying for the Miss America crown in 1938.
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Miss California, Marilyn Buferd (left), would beat out these ladies and the rest of the competition to become Miss America 1946.
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If the crown fits… Bess Myerson, Miss America 1945, crowns Marilyn Buferd Miss America 1946.
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Miss Colorado Sharon Ritchie, then 18-years-old, was crowned Miss America 1956. She was the first Miss America invited to tour Europe by Philco International. Here, Miss America is greeted with roses after returning from Europe (left).
Margaret Gorman, of Washington, D.C., poses after winning the first Miss America pageant in Atlantic City, N.J., in Sept. 1921.
Mary Katherine Campbell, 15, holds the scepter as she poses in the regal robe and crown after becoming Miss America 1922 at the second Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, N.J., in Sept. 1922. Campbell, of Columbus, Ohio, won again in 1923, the only one to win twice.
Norma Smallwood, of Tulsa, Okla., poses in her bathing suit with trophies after becoming Miss America 1926 in Atlantic City, N.J., on Sept. 11, 1926.
Lois Delander, of Joilet, Ill., poses on the throne wearing a robe and holding a scepter after being crowned Miss America 1927 at the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, N.J., in Sept. 1927.
Miss Pittsburgh Henriette Leaver, 19, wears her crown and holds her trophy after winning the 1935 Miss American title at the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, N.J., Sept. 8, 1935.
Rose Veronica Coyle of Philadelphia, Miss America 1936, poses in a bathing suit at an unknown seaside location.
Bette Cooper poses with her trophy in the regal robe after being crowned Miss America 1937 at the annual Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, N.J., in Sept. 1937. Cooper is Miss Bertrand Island, N.J.
Marilyn Meseke, of Marion, Ohio, is crowned Miss America 1938, center, at the annual National Beauty Pageant in Atlantic City, N.J., on Sept. 10, 1938. Flanking the 21-year-old winner are second and third place contestants, respectively, Miss California, Claire James of Los Angeles, right, and Miss Utah, Marion La Von Goodspeed of Salt Lake City, left. Talent counted for one-third of the overall judging score for the first time in pageant history.
Patricia Donnelly, Miss America 1939 from Detroit, Mi., crowns Miss America 1940, 19-year-old Frances Marie Burke of Philadelphia, Pa., at the annual Miss America pageant in Atlantic City, N.J., on Sept. 7, 1940.
Miss America of 1943 Jean Bartel of Los Angeles, poses with her trophy in Atlantic City, N.J., Sept. 11, 1943. She was Miss California.
Venus Ramey, Miss America 1944, reads telegrams of congratulations the morning after she won the title, in Atlantic City, Sept. 10, 1944. She received her crown from Jean Bartel of Los Angeles, Calif., who was Miss America 1943.
These young women, who will seek the title of “Miss America, 1945,” at Atlantic City, N.J. on September 8, grace the boardwalk, Sept. 4, 1945. From left to right: Lee M. Wieland, Chicago, Ill., Miss Chicago; Barbara Lee Smith, Detroit, Mich., Miss Detroit; Bess Myerson, New York, Miss New York City; Phyllis Mathis, La Jolla, Calif., Miss San Diego; Gloria Naomi Bair, Philadelphia, Pa., Miss Philadelphia; Claire Thibadeau, Boston, Mass., Miss Boston; Rae Evelyn Crist, Miami Beach, Florida, Miss Florida and Frances Born, Birmingham, Ala., Miss Birmingham.
Yolande Betbeze, of Mobile, Ala., walks on the runway after she is crowned Miss America 1951 at Atlantic City, N.J., on Sept. 9, 1950. The 21-year-old Miss Alabama won the title among 54 contestants.
Colleen Kay Hutchins, 25, Salt Lake City, Utah, poses with her trophy in the regal robe after being crowned Miss America 1952 in the annual Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, N.J., on Sept. 8, 1951.
Six contestants in the annual Miss America pageant, which got underway in Atlantic City, N.J., on Sept. 8, 1953. From left: Barbara Ann Crockett, North Carolina; Virginia McDavid, Alabama; Miriam Jacqueline Stevenson, South Carolina; Lucia Claire Hutchinson, Georgia; Marjorie Jeannette Simons, Florida; and Susanne Dugger, Mississippi.
Miss Chicago Georgia Theodora Hale was the winner in the first year of the Miss Chicago contest in 1922.
Miss Chicago Margaret Leigh came in fourth place at the Atlantic City Miss America beauty contest, the most prestigious beauty contest in America, 1924.
Miss Chicago of 1925, Margarita Gonzales, circa 1925. Gonzales was a candidate for the national title at the Atlantic City beauty contest in 1925, but was eliminated in the first round.
Maebelle Soller at the Miss Chicago contest, 1926.
Margaret Knight, right, and two other girls participate in the 1926 Miss Chicago contest.
Miss Chicago contestant Lucille Burgess, left, with Betty Blythe, 1926.
On Aug. 2, 1926, Mae Greene, 18, was chosen as Miss Chicago 1926 out of 4,000 rivals at the Trianon Ballroom in Chicago.
Estelle Kosloff, 20, August 16, 1927. Kosloff won the Miss Chicago beauty pageant in 1927, but was disqualified when the pageant found out she was recently married.
Miss America Lois Delander, 16, 1927.
Miss Myrtle Christine Valsted, 17, July 11, 1927. Valsted became Miss Chicago 1927 after the original winner, Estelle Kosloff, was found out to be married.
Mrs. Wallace Ford models a dress that she will wear to the Miss America costume for the arts ball at the Stevens Hotel, 1927.
Virgina Stonesifer, from left, Betty Ann Savers, Doris Rutkin, Margaret Dorney, Novene LaRue, and Myrtle Christine Valsted in the Miss Chicago contest, 1927.
Miss Universe Ella Van Hueson, 1928.
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Portrait of Miss America 1924, Ruth Malcomson.