Photos: On this day – September 6, 1921 – the first Miss America Pageant is held

Posted Sep 06, 2012

On this day – September 6, 1921 – In Atlantic City, New Jersey, the first Miss America Pageant, a two-day event, is held.

The Miss America pageant is a long-standing competition which awards scholarships to young women from the 50 states plus the Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. The winner of the national pageant is awarded the title of “Miss America” for one year.

The pageant originated as a beauty contest in 1921, but now prefers to avoid this term since Swimsuit and Evening Wear comprise only 35 percent of the overall score used to judge contestants. The pageant began in Atlantic City, New Jersey and was held there each year in September through 2004 (except for the year 2000, when it was held on October 14).

In January 2006, the pageant moved to its new home and time in Las Vegas, Nevada. The pageant presents itself as a “scholarship pageant,” and the primary prizes for the winner and her runners-up are scholarships to the institution of her choice. The Miss America Scholarship program, along with its local and state affiliates, is the largest provider of scholarship money to young women in the United States and in the world. In 2006 it made available more than $45 million in cash and scholarship assistance

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Contestants in the first Miss America pageant line up for the judges in Atlantic City, N.J., in Sept. 1921. Second from left is Margaret Gorman, who won the competition. Miss America started as a bathing suit contest on the uncomplicated theory it might help fill Atlantic City hotel rooms for an extra week past Labor Day at the end of the summer season. (AP Photo)
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Margaret Gorman, of Washington, D.C., poses after winning the first Miss America pageant in Atlantic City, N.J., in Sept. 1921. (AP Photo)
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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. (AP Photo)
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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. (AP Photo)
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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. (AP Photo)
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Lois Eleanor Delander, Joilet, Ill, holds her Miss America sash over her head after winning the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City, N.J., in 1927. (AP Photo)
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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. (AP Photo)
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Rose Veronica Coyle, holding scepter and trophy cup, takes the throne after she is crowned Miss America 1936 at the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, N.J., Sept. 13, 1936. Coyle, 22, of Philadelphia, won among 48 contestants. (AP Photo)
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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. (AP Photo)
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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. (AP Photo)
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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. (AP Photo)
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Jean Bartel, Miss California, of Los Angeles, wears her crown and cape after becoming Miss America 1944 at the annual Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, N.J., on Sept. 11, 1943. Posing with her at left is Muriel Elizabeth Smith, Miss Florida of Miami, Second Runner-up, and at right, Frances Mack, Miss Boston, Third Runner-Up. (AP Photo)
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Bess Myerson, of New York City, wears her regal robe and holds the scepter after being crowned Miss America 1945 at the annual Miss America pageant in Atlantic City, N.J., in Sept. 1945. (AP Photo)
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Marilyn Buferd, of Los Angeles, Ca., sits on the throne wearing the regal robe as former Miss America Bess Myerson transfers her crown to Miss America 1946 at the annual Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, N.J., on Sept. 7, 1945. (AP Photo)
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Renee Dianne Roy, Miss Connecticut, appears in bathing suit during preliminary event, of Miss America pageant on Sept. 8, 1950 at Atlantic City, N.J. (AP Photo/Marty Lederhandler)
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Yolanda Betbeze, Miss America of 1951 is crowned by her predecessor, Jacque Mercer at Atlantic City, N.J. Sept. 9, 1950. (AP Photo)
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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. (AP Photo)
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Miss America 1951, Yolanda Betbeze of Mobile, Ala., waves after winning the Miss America title, Sept. 10, 1950 in Atlantic City, N.J. (AP Photo)
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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. (AP Photo)
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Miss America, Colleen Kay Hutchins of Salt Lake City, Utah poses Sept.11,1951 during press interview on the annual visit to New York City following the beauty Pageant at Atlantic City, N.J. Interview was at New York's Waldorf-Astoria. (AP Photo/Jack Harris)
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Pamela Ann Eldred, Miss Michigan, is shown during the swimsuit competition of the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City, N.J., Sept. 3, 1969. (AP Photo)
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Miss Michigan, Pamela Anne Eldred, performs an interpretive ballet dance entitled "Love Mood" performed to the love theme from "Romeo And Juliet" during the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City, N.J., Sept. 3, 1969. (AP Photo)
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Miss America of 1943 Jean Bartel, of Los Angeles, poses, Sept. 11, 1943. She was Miss California. (AP Photo)
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Miss America of 1943 Jean Bartel, of Los Angeles, poses, Sept. 11, 1943. She was Miss California. (AP Photo)
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Miss America of 1943 Jean Bartel, of Los Angeles, poses, Sept. 11, 1943. She was Miss California. (AP Photo)
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Miss America of 1943 Jean Bartel, center, of Los Angeles, poses with unidentified finalists of the Miss American Pageant, Sept. 11, 1943. She was Miss California. (AP Photo)
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Miss America of 1943 Jean Bartel, of Los Angeles, poses, Sept. 11, 1943. She was Miss California. (AP Photo)
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When Miss Venus Ramey, acclaimed Miss America at Atlantic City in 1944, returned to her home town Cincinnati, in fall 1945, she was delighted to hear recordings of her own singing voice on the first radio-phonograph receiver to come off the radio assembly line. It was produced at the Crosley Corp. plant which had converted from war production. (AP Photo)
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Miss America, Bess Myerson, center, poses with her two sisters, Helen Myerson, left, and Sylvia M. Grace, after walking off with the honors at the annual Beauty Pageant held at Atlantic City, N.J., Sept. 8, 1945. An accomplished flautist, she plans to use the $5,000 scholarship accompanying her title for the advanced study of music here and abroad. (AP Photo/Sam Myers)
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Ten finalists in the Miss America pageant, from whom Miss America of 1955 will be chosen late tonight, Sept. 11, 1954 line up on stage. From left: Alabama, Marilyn Jean Tate; California, Lee Ann Meriwether; Chicago, Regina Janine Dombeck; District of Columbia, Linda Maud Weisbrod; Florida, Ann Gloria Daniel; Michigan, Janice Hutton Somers; Ohio, Barbara Maxine Quinlan; Pennsylvania, Barbara Sue Nager; South Carolina, Polly Rankin Suber, Tennessee, Gerry Johnson. (AP Photo)
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Miss Oklahoma, Anita Bryant is in the top 10 for Miss America 1959 title, to be named at finale of annual beauty pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Sept. 6, 1958. (AP Photo)
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Lee Ann Meriwether, of San Francisco, poses with her trophy on her first day in the role of Miss America 1955 in Atlantic City, N.J., on Sept 12, 1954. The nineteen-year-old won the title last night at the annual Miss America pageant. (AP Photo)
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Miss America 1959, Mary Ann Mobley, of Brandon, Mississippi, is crowned by outgoing Miss America Marilyn Elaine Van Derbur at the annual Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, N.J., on Sept. 6, 1958. (AP Photo)
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Miss Nevada, Dawn Elberta Wells (right) showed up at the Miss America pageant bearing gifts for all fifty-four of her competitors. She is giving Miss Texas, Marilyn Kay Turner a bottle of perfume in Atlantic City Sept. 9, 1959. (AP Photo)
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Miss America of 1960, Miss Mississippi, Lynda Lee Mead of Natchez, is crowned by outgoing Miss America, Mary Ann Mobley, also of Mississippi, Sept. 12, 1959, in Atlantic City, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Achatz)
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Debra Dene Barnes, 19-year-old Miss Kansas of Pittsburgh, poses on the throne holding the scepter after she is crowned Miss America 1968 at the annual Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, N.J., on Sept. 9, 1967. (AP Photo)
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Lynda Lee Mead of Natchez, Miss., is shown during the swimsuit competition during the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City, N.J., Sept. 13, 1959. (AP Photo)
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Debra Dene Barnes, of Pittsburgh, Ka., poses on the throne after being crowned Miss America 1968 in Atlantic City, N.J. on Sept. 9, 1967. (AP Photo)
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Demonstrators from the National Women's Liberation Party picket with signs in protest of the annual Miss America Pageant in front of the Convention Hall in Atlantic City, N.J., on Sept. 7, 1968. (AP Photo)
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An unidentified member of the Women's Liberation Party drops a brassiere in the trash barrel in protest of the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City, N.J., on Sept. 7, 1968. (AP Photo)
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Members of the National Women's Liberation Party hold protest signs in front of Convention Hall where the Miss America Pageant will be held tonight in Atlantic City, N.J. on Sept. 7, 1968. The picketers, also seen behind, are protesting the annual pageant as degrading to women. (AP Photo)
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Miss Nevada, Dawn Elberta Wells, of Reno, poses with a 50 pound stuffed lion in an Atlantic City Sept. 8, 1959 rolling chair on this resort city’s boardwalk during a lull in start of the week long Miss America pageant. Miss Nevada will compete against 53 other beauties from all parts of the United States for the coveted title of Miss America pf 1960. (AP Photo)
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Five smiling winners of the first three preliminary rounds of the Miss America contest, including Miss Ohio, this year's first double winner, pose at the close of tonight's round of competitions, Sept. 5, 1969, in Atlantic City, N.J. From left to right: Judith Claire Mendenhall, Miss Minnesota, talent; Pamela Anne Eldred, Miss Michigan, swimsuit; Kathy Lynn Baumann, Miss Ohio, double winner in talent and swimsuit; Patricia Jo Brummett, Miss New Mexico, talent; and Carol Jean Norval, Miss Connecticut, swimsuit. (AP Photo/Bill Ingraham)
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Pamela Anne Eldred, 21-year-old from Michigan, is crowned Miss America of 1970 by outgoing Miss America, Judith Anne Ford, in Atlantic City, N.J., Sept. 6, 1969. (AP Photo/Bill Achatz)
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Ten semi-finalists of the Miss America pageant pose in their swimsuits in Atlantic City, N.J., Sept. 6, 1969. From left to right: Miss Massachusetts, Georgia Hossfeld; Miss New Mexico, Pat Brummett; Miss Colorado, Adria Easton; Miss New Jersey, Cheryl Carter; Miss Michigan, Pamela Eldred; Miss California, Susan Anton; Miss New York, Linda Trybus; Miss Hawaii, Sheryl Akaka; Miss Minnesota, Judy Mendenhall; Miss Ohio, Kathy Baumann. (AP Photo/Bill Achatz)
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The new Miss America, Michigan's Pamela Anne Eldred, presses her hands to her mouth as she hears that she has been named the new Miss America for 1970 in Atlantic City, N.J., Sept. 6, 1969. Behind her, at right, waiting to give up her crown is outgoing queen, Judith Ann Ford. (AP Photo/Bill Achatz)
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Five finalists in the bid for Miss America at Atlantic City, N.J., Sept. 6, 1969, are, from left: Miss Minnesota, Judith Claire Mendenhall; Miss Michigan, Pamela Anne Eldred; Miss Ohio, Kathy Lynn Baumann; Miss California, Susan Ellen Anton, and Miss New Jersey, Cheryl Christina Carter. (AP Photo/Bill Achatz)
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Pamela Anne Eldred, 21, of Michigan, is the new Miss America, shown in Atlantic City, N.J., Sept. 6, 1969. (AP Photo/Bill Achatz)
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Miss Cloris Leachman gets a boost from runners-up Midge Faulkner, left, and Pat Verner after she won the title "Miss Chicago" in Chicago on Aug. 9, 1964. Leachman, a resident of Evanston, Ill., won the right to participate in the Miss America contest in Atlantic City, N.J. next month. (AP Photo)
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The new Miss America of 1970, Pamela Anne Eldred of Michigan, poses with her court in Atlantic City, N.J., Sept. 6, 1969. With her, from left to right: Miss California, Susan Ellen Anton, fourth runner up; third runner up who was tied with Miss New Jersey; Miss Minnesota, Judith Mendenhall, fourth runner up; Miss New Jersey, Cheryl Carter, third runner up and Miss Ohio, Kathy Baumann, first runner up. Judges did not pick a second runner up. (AP Photo/Bill Achatz)
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Miss Michigan, Pamela Anne Eldred, left, reacts to the announcement that she is the winner of the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City, N.J., Sept. 7, 1969. Beside her is Miss Ohio, Kathy Lynn Baumann. (AP Photo/Bill Achatz)
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Pamela Anne Eldred, the nation's new Miss America of 1970, poses with all her regal trappings at Atlantic City, N.J., Sept. 8, 1969, following her crowning. She is 21 and hails from Detroit. (AP Photo/Bill Achatz)
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Newly-crowned Miss America for 1971, Phyllis George of Denton, Tex., loses her crown - but not her title - at Atlantic City, N.J., Sept. 12, 1970. The 21-year-old winner of the pageant retrieved the crown and continued her walk down the runway. (AP Photo)
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Phyllis George, Miss Texas, steps along the ramp showing her winning form in the swim suit division of the third preliminary round of the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, N.J., Sept. 11, 1970. (AP Photo)
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Newly-crowned Miss America for 1971, Phyllis George of Denton, Tex., loses her crown - but not her title - at Atlantic City, N.J., Sept. 12, 1970. The 21-year-old winner of the pageant retrieved the crown and continued her walk down the runway. (AP Photo)
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Six winners of the preliminary rounds of talent and swim suit divisions in week-long Miss America Pageant competition in Atlantic City pose with their trophies, Sept. 12, 1970. From left: Claudia Carmen Turner, Miss South Carolina; Suzanne Dennie, Miss Alabama; Phyllis George, Miss Texas; Lisa Louise Donovan, Miss Florida; Kathleen Puanani O'Sullivan, Miss Hawaii; and Judy Adams, Miss Oklahoma. (AP Photo)
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Six winners of the preliminary rounds of talent and swim suit divisions in week-long Miss America Pageant competition in Atlantic City pose with their trophies, Sept. 12, 1970. From left: Claudia Carmen Turner, Miss South Carolina; Suzanne Dennie, Miss Alabama; Phyllis George, Miss Texas; Lisa Louise Donovan, Miss Florida; Kathleen Puanani O'Sullivan, Miss Hawaii; and Judy Adams, Miss Oklahoma. (AP Photo)
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Miss America 1976, Tawny Elaine Godin of Saratoga Springs, New York, left, is crowned by Miss American 1975 Shirley Cothran, right, at the pageant in Atlantic City, N.J., Sept. 7, 1975. (AP Photo)
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Tawny Elaine Godin, the Miss America of 1976, is shown after she was crowned in Atlantic City, Sept. 7, 1975. (AP Photo)
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Tawny Elaine Godin, the Miss America of 1976, pictured at news conference in the Barclay Hotel in New York City, Sept. 8, 1975. (AP Photo/Marty Lederhandler)
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Tawny Elaine Godin, the Miss America of 1976, pictured at news conference in the Barclay Hotel in New York City, Sept. 8, 1975. (AP Photo/Marty Lederhandler)
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Tawny Elaine Godin, the Miss America of 1976, pictured at news conference in the Barclay Hotel in New York City, Sept. 8, 1975. (AP Photo/Marty Lederhandler)
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Tawny Elaine Godin of Saratoga Springs, New York is shown in her evening gown at the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, Sept. 6, 1975, before being crowned Miss America 1976. (AP Photo)
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Miss America contestants pose for a photographer on the beach at Atlantic City, N.J., Sept. 3, 1979. From left are Miss Mississippi, Cheryl Prewitt, unidentified at center, and Miss Tennessee, Elise Neal. (AP Photo/Jack Kanthal)
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Cheryl Prewitt, Miss Mississippi, walks down the runway after winning in the third night of preliminary competition in Atlantic City, N.J., Sept. 7, 1979. (AP Photo)
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Cheryl Prewitt, Miss America for 1980, waves to the audience after being crowned in Atlantic City, N.J., Sept. 8, 1979. (AP Photo/Jack Kanthal)
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Cheryl Prewitt , Miss America for 1980, is crowned in Atlantic City, N.J., Sept. 8, 1979. (AP Photo/Jack Kanthal)
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Cheryl Prewitt of Mississippi reacts as she was named the new Miss America for 1980 in Atlantic City, N.J., Sept. 8, 1979. (AP Photo/Jack Kanthal)
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New Miss Universe 1980, Miss Shawn Weatherly, 20-year-old from America was chosen as the beauty queen in 1980 Miss Universe beauty pageant on July 8, 1980 in Seoul. (AP Photo)
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Susan Powell, the new Miss America looks toward the judges as she takes her winning walk at the pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey on Sept. 6, 1980. (AP Photo/Birns)
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Susan Powell, the new Miss America looks toward the judges as she takes her winning walk at the pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey on Sept. 6, 1980. (AP Photo/Birns)
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The new Miss America Susan Powell, left, Miss Oklahoma, reacts as she is crowned by Cheryl Prewitt, the outgoing Miss America at the pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey on Sept. 6, 1980. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy)
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Former heavyweight champ Muhammad Ali gets a pat on the face from Vanessa Williams, from Millwood, N.Y., Miss New York in Atlantic City on Sunday, Sept. 11, 1983. Miss Williams is here for the Miss America Pageant and Ali was here for the Larry Holmes fight. (AP Photo/BB)
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Pictured on the beach in Atlantic City at the Miss America Pageant are from left: Suzette Charles, Miss N.J.; Vanessa Williams, New York; Jennifer Eshelman, Pa.; and Dakeita Vanderburg, Conn., shown Sept. 12, 1983 (AP Photo/Jack Kanthal)
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State misses, from left are: Dakeita Vanderburg, Miss Conn.; Vanessa Williams, N.Y., and Suzette Charles, N.J., are shown running in the surf during some free time at the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, Sept. 13, 1983. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy)
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Vanessa Williams, Miss New York, walks down the runway of The Miss America Pageant during her evening gown competition, Sept. 15, 1983 in Atlantic City. (AP Photo/Bruce Boyajian)
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Phyllis George, of Texas, center, poses with other contestents after she is crowned Miss America 1971 at the annual Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, N.J., on Sept. 12, 1970. From left are, Karen Johnson, Miss Maine, second runner-up; Claudia Turner, South Carolina, first runner-up; Miss America; Christine McClamroch, Mississippi, third runner-up; and Margaret Walker, Pennsylvania, fourth runner-up. (AP Photo)
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Miss New York, Vanessa Williams, right, poses with Jo Ann Miller, who was Miss New York in 1973, at a champagne reception honoring Miss Williams, Aug. 3, 1983 in New York. Vanessa Williams, a native of Milwood, New York, is the first black Miss New York to compete in the Miss America Pageant. (AP Photo/Ron Frehm)
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Vanessa Williams, representing New York State, is shown during her coronation walk holding the scepter after she is crowned Miss America 1984 at the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, N.J., on Sept. 17, 1983. Williams, of Syracuse, is the first African American to win the competition. (AP Photo/Jack Kanthal)
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Vanessa Williams adjusts her crown during her coronation walk as she holds the scepter after she is named Miss America 1984 at the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, N.J., on Sept. 17, 1983. Williams, of Syracuse representing New York State, is the first African American to win the competition. (AP Photo)
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Miss America Suzette Charles poses July 24,1984 during appearance on NBC's "Today Show". (AP Photo/Mario Suriani)
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Former Miss America Suzette Charles stands behind newly-crowned Miss America Sharlene Wells of Utah as she passes on the honor of being selected the most outstanding beauty in the nation at the conclusion of the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City, N. J. Sept.17, 1984. (AP Photo)
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Susan Akin, of Meridian, Missi., gets her crown adjusted by Miss West Va., Rebecca Porterfield at the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, N.J., Saturday night, Sept. 15, 1985. Akin won the annual competition and won the title of Miss America 1986. (AP Photo/Jack Kanthal)
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Susan Akin, of Meridian, Miss., waves to the crowd as she walks down the runway after being crowned Miss America 1986 at the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, N.J. on Sept. 15, 1985. (AP Photo)
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Developer Donald Trump poses with about half of the competing State Misses on board his yacht in Atlantic City, N.J., Sept. 4, 1988. (AP Photo/Jack Kanthal)
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Shown with her family, Saturday, Sept. 17, 1983 at the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City is Vanessa Williams, Miss New York. With her is 15-year-old brother, Christopher, mother Helen, and father Milton. Miss Williams is the first black woman to become a double preliminary winner in the Pageant and is considered a top contender to become the first black Miss America. (AP Photo/Jack Kanthal)
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Vanessa Williams, Miss America for 1984, jumps for photographers on the beach in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Sept. 19, 1983. She is the first black Miss America in the pageant's history. (AP Photo)
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Miss America 1984, Vanessa Williams is escorted by an unidentified man, center, to a limousine upon her arrival at New York?s La Guardia Airport, July 20, 1984. Pageant officials asked Miss Williams to resign within three days because she posed for nude photographs in intimate positions with another woman. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
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Vanessa Williams gets a supportive kiss from her mother, Helen, after Miss Williams announced she would relinquish her crown at the request of the pageant officials during a news conference in New York, Monday, July 23, 1984. Nude photographs of Miss America Williams appeared in the September issue of Penthouse magazine. (AP Photo/Marty Lederhandler)
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Susan Akin is shown in the swimsuit competition on Sept. 15, 1985 at the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City just before she garnered the crown as the new Miss America. She is from Meridian, Mississippi. (AP Photo/Jack Kanthal)
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Miss Florida, Dana Rinehart Dalton is the swimsuit winner during the second night of preliminaries at the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, Sept. 5, 1990. (AP Photo/Mike Derer)