Page "Beauty pageant" Paragraph 2

The first modern American pageant was staged by P. T. Barnum in 1854, but his beauty contest was closed down by public protest., He previously held dog, baby, and bird beauty contests.

He substituted daguerreotypes for judging, a practice quickly adopted by newspapers.

Newspapers held photo beauty contests for many decades: In 1880, the first “ Bathing Beauty Pageant " took place as part of a summer festival to promote business in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.