Miss America 1945

Miss America 1945, the 19th Miss America pageant, was held at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey on September 8, 1945. Two days prior to the actual selection and coronation, the night of the talent competition, the Army Air Force Veterans voted the eventual winner, Miss New York City (Bess Myerson) as their favorite beauty queen.

Overview

Bess Myerson was the first Jewish-American and the first Miss New York (competing as Miss New York City, a competition organized by a local radio station) to win the Miss America Pageant as Miss America 1945. As the only Jewish contestant, Myerson was encouraged by the pageant directors to change her name to "Bess Meredith" or "Beth Merrick" but she refused. After winning the title (and as a Jewish Miss America), Myerson received few endorsements and later recalled that "I couldn't even stay in certain hotels [...] there would be signs that read no coloreds, no Jews, no dogs. I felt so rejected. Here I was chosen to represent American womanhood and then America treated me like this." She thus cut short her Miss America tour and instead traveled with the Anti-Defamation League. In this capacity, she spoke against discrimination in a talk entitled, "You Can't Be Beautiful and Hate."

Miss America 1924

Miss America 1924, the fourth Miss America pageant, was held at the Million Dollar Pier in Atlantic City, New Jersey on September 6, 1924.Mary Katherine Campbell, who won the title the previous two years, placed as 1st runner-up. Pageant officials later instituted a rule allowing competitors to be crowned only once.Ruth Malcomson competing as Miss Philadelphia was named Miss America of 1924 against a field of 83 entrants, the largest number of contestants in Miss America history.

Second runner-up Fay Lanphier would become Miss America 1925. Another of the finalists, Beatrice Roberts, became an actress who appeared in more than 50 Hollywood productions.

Results

References

Secondary sources

External links

  • Miss America official website
  • Miss America 2008

    Miss America 2008, the 81st Miss America pageant, was held at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas on January 26, 2008.

    The pageant was broadcast live on TLC from the Theatre for the Performing Arts at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino, only the third time that the pageant has been held outside Atlantic City.

    Kirsten Haglund (Michigan) was crowned Miss America 2008 by Miss America 2007, Lauren Nelson.

    Selection of contestants

    One delegate from each state was chosen in state pageants held in mid-2007. Prior to competing in state pageants, the majority of delegates first were required to win a local title. Each delegate's title is pre-dated to 2007, for example Jamie Langley is "Miss Alabama 2007" rather than "Miss Alabama 2008." Many contestants competed in state pageants in both the Miss America and Miss USA systems numerous times before they won titles. Some previously competed in states other than those where they won a state title.

    All contestants had to be between 17 and 24 years old, unmarried, and a citizen of the United States. They had to meet residency and education requirements.

    Miss America 1989

    Miss America 1989, the 62nd Miss America pageant, was held at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey on September 10, 1988 and was televised by the NBC Network.

    The winner, Minnesota's Gretchen Carlson, would later become a well-known television journalist for Fox News.

    Results

    Judges

  • Joyce Brothers
  • Richard Dysart
  • Eileen Ford
  • Eva Gabor
  • Phyllis George
  • Deborah Norville
  • George Peppard
  • Lili Fini Zanuck
  • Further reading

    External links

  • Miss America official website
  • Podcasts:

    PLAYLIST TIME:

    Miss America

    by: David Byrne

    I love America, her secret's safe with me
    And I know her wicked ways
    The parts you never see
    Oh super-girl, you'll be my super-model
    Although you have a reputation
    Can I afford to move above my station
    I'm not the only heart you've conquered
    And I love America, but boy can she be cruel
    And I know how tall she is
    Without her platform shoes
    Oh super-girl, you'll be my super-model
    Although at times it might seem awkward
    Don't run away, oh don't you recognize me
    I'm not the only heart you've conquered
    And I kissed America, when she was fleecing me
    She knows I understand that she needs to be free
    And I miss America and sometimes she does too
    And sometimes I think of her
    When she is fucking you
    I love America
    Yo siempre he confiado en ti [=I have always trusted you]
    I love America
    Por que me tratas asi? [=Why do you treat me like this?]
    Oh super-girl, you'll be my super-model
    Although your pants are round your ankles
    And when you're down, I'll be your Dirty Harry
    It will be just like in the movies
    Oh super-girl, you'll be my super-model
    Although at times it might seem awkward
    Don't look away, I'll be your teenage fanclub




    ×