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Important Dates in Miss America History

1921   First Miss America competition is held.
1933   The pageant was staged in Boardwalk Convention Center (then called Convention Hall).
1935-1939   Talent is added to the competition, which was staged in the Marine Ballroom of the Steel Pier.
1940-1942   The competition returns to the Boardwalk Hall.
1942-1945   From September 1942 - September 1945 (four pageants) the contest was staged in the Warner Theatre which was located on the Boardwalk.
1945   First scholarship grant ($5,000) is awarded to Bess Myerson, the first college graduate to serve as Miss America.
1946   The pageant returned to Boardwalk Hall until 2004 -- when Deidre Downs was named Miss America 2005.
1950s   The Miss America Scholarship Fund reaches over $250,000.
1954   First nationally televised Miss America telecast kicks off one of the longest-running live events in television history.
1955   Bert Parks begins his 25-year tenure as Master of Ceremonies, introducing the program’s theme song, "There She Is, Miss America."
1966   Miss America is broadcast for the first time in color.
1989   Focus on achievement comes of age, as the platform program is introduced.
1994   Heather Whitestone, who is profoundly deaf, is the first woman with a disability to become Miss America.
1995   By the 75th Anniversary of Miss America and 50th Anniversary of the Miss America Scholarship Fund, the Organization has become the world's largest provider of scholarships for young women in the world.
1996   The Miss America Organization conducts its first-ever National Day of Service by staging nearly 100 events throughout the country featuring Miss America Organization titleholders and community, government, business and education leaders.
1997   The Miss America telecast appears on ABC television for the first time since the 1950s.
2000   Miss America Organization celebrates its 80th Anniversary.
2001   The judging system at the national level is revamped in order to better reflect the goals of the Miss America Organization. In doing so, the organization is able to provide nearly $50,000 more in scholarship money at the national level.
2004   Miss America celebrates 50 years on television
2006   The Miss America Pageant moves to Las Vegas, which continues as its 'televised location' today.
2007   Miss America Organization and TLC sign a multi-year deal for telecast rights to the Miss America Pageant

 

 

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