It began
in 1921 as a gimmick to attract tourists to Atlantic City, New Jersey, at the
end of the summer season.
Today, it
is a national institution. Millions
watch on television each year as the judges’ decision is announced, a winner is
crowned, and a tearful but radiant young woman walks down the runway to the
strains of a familiar song, “Here she is, Miss America…”
The first
Miss America, Margaret Gorman was just 16 years old when she won the contest in
1921. In the early days, the contestants often represented
cities rather than states. Not until
1959 was there a contestant from each state.
Originally just a swimsuit contest, the pageant later added a talent
contest and interviews designed to reveal
the personalities and opinions of the women.
Beginning
in 1945, winners received college scholarships along with other prizes. The pageant became a truly national even in
1954, when television first beamed the show across the country.
The Miss
America Pageant has been criticized by people who feel that beauty contest are
insulting to women. But supporters point out that the contest
stresses intelligence and talent as well as beauty. And the pageant has survived the criticisims to win a lasting
place in American popular culture.
The use of
live animals in the Miss America talent competition was banned in 1940, afer
Miss Montana and her horse almost fell off the stage.
