Miss America Pageant

The Miss America Pageant is a nationwide scholarship competition for young women and has become a time-honored tradition.

The Miss America Pageant began in 1921 by New Jersey businessmen to increase tourism to the seaside location of Atlantic City. Originally entitled the Atlantic City Pageant, it advertised itself as a beauty competition which later evolved to a more holistic approach. The swimsuit and evening wear now only contribute a small portion to the overall score and weigh more towards academic achievement, career aspirations and service to the community and abroad. The overall competitions include interview, talent, evening wear, swimsuit and answering an on-stage question.

1. 17-24 years of age
2. Unmarried status
3. Legal citizen of the United States
4. Resident of delegated state
5. Educational honors

The ratings for the pageant soared in the 1960s after picking up popularity across the nation. However, over the years the ratings decreased and fell for the first time under 10 million in 2004. The host station, ABC, decided against further broadcasting the competition and Miss America moved to CMT in 2007. The TLC network took over in 2008 and moved the entire competition from Atlantic City, New Jersey, to Las Vegas at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino. Though viewership is drastically less than before, it still manages to have a steady crowd of followers.

• Official Site: Miss America Pageant News
• Washingtonpost.com: "Miss Michigan Crowned Miss America" (January 27, 2008)
  • "Miss Michigan Kirsten Haglund, a 19-year-old aspiring Broadway star, was crowned Miss America 2008 on Saturday in a live show billed as the unveiling of the 87-year-old pageant's new, hipper look."
• E! News: "Miss America Changes Channels - Again" (2007)
• AMW Safety Center: "Miss America 2007, Lauren Nelson: Protecting Kids Online"
• Holmen Courier: "Former Miss America Shares Sobering Message at HHS" (2007)
• Philadelphia Daily News: "Miss America Lives On - In Bits & Pieces" (2007)