HisTory of Beauty Pageants
The first modern beauty contest involving the display of women’s faces and figures before judges can be tracked back to Phineas T. Barnum, one of America’s greatest showmen. His most popular attractions were national contests. Dogs, chickens, flowers, and children were displayed in front of judges for paying audiences. In 1855, he had a baby show, and the year before an exhibit that showed “the handsomest ladies”.
In 1854, there was the first beauty pageant in America. It was closed down due to public protests. Modern beauty pageants were started in the 1880s. In 1888, in Spa, Belgium, the first woman was crowned with the “beauty queen” title. In order to join the contest, contestants had to send their photos along with a short description about themselves. Only 21 individuals were selected for the final judging. The final judging was a formal event attended by men in tuxedos and women in long gowns. The ones in the contest were secluded from the general public. They had to ride in a closed carriage and live in a separate building without access to the outside world. An 18-year-old Creole won the first beauty queen title
The example of Belgium was followed by other countries, most specially by Germany and USA. In USA, it was 1921 when the first ‘Miss America,’ 16-year-old Margaret Gorman, was crowned. “In an effort to lure tourists to stay past Labor Day, Atlantic City organizers staged the first Miss America Pageant in September. Stressing that the contestants were both youthful and wholesome, the Miss America Pageant brought together issues of democracy and class, art and commerce, gender and sex -- and started a tradition that would grow throughout the century to come.” In 1922, Katherine Campbell won the Miss America title. She won it again the following year. So in 1923, a new rule was presented—a woman should not win a title more than once.
Beauty Pageants weren’t held regularly until the twentieth century. It was as entertainment for the growing middle class. Miss USA will represent the nation to Miss Universe, which has been a popular international beauty contest since 1952. In 1960, Miss International was formed in Tokyo, the same year Miss United States International was formed.
Miss World is the youngest among the major beauty pageants. It was just formed in 2001 and is more environment-focused. USA chooses the representative for this through Miss Earth United States.
In 1854, there was the first beauty pageant in America. It was closed down due to public protests. Modern beauty pageants were started in the 1880s. In 1888, in Spa, Belgium, the first woman was crowned with the “beauty queen” title. In order to join the contest, contestants had to send their photos along with a short description about themselves. Only 21 individuals were selected for the final judging. The final judging was a formal event attended by men in tuxedos and women in long gowns. The ones in the contest were secluded from the general public. They had to ride in a closed carriage and live in a separate building without access to the outside world. An 18-year-old Creole won the first beauty queen title
The example of Belgium was followed by other countries, most specially by Germany and USA. In USA, it was 1921 when the first ‘Miss America,’ 16-year-old Margaret Gorman, was crowned. “In an effort to lure tourists to stay past Labor Day, Atlantic City organizers staged the first Miss America Pageant in September. Stressing that the contestants were both youthful and wholesome, the Miss America Pageant brought together issues of democracy and class, art and commerce, gender and sex -- and started a tradition that would grow throughout the century to come.” In 1922, Katherine Campbell won the Miss America title. She won it again the following year. So in 1923, a new rule was presented—a woman should not win a title more than once.
Beauty Pageants weren’t held regularly until the twentieth century. It was as entertainment for the growing middle class. Miss USA will represent the nation to Miss Universe, which has been a popular international beauty contest since 1952. In 1960, Miss International was formed in Tokyo, the same year Miss United States International was formed.
Miss World is the youngest among the major beauty pageants. It was just formed in 2001 and is more environment-focused. USA chooses the representative for this through Miss Earth United States.