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1950
As the nation approaches
the half-century mark, pageants have achieved such popularity
that parents are often heard to remark that every little girl's
dream is to grow up to be Miss America.
1950
The new Miss
America (1951) Yolande Betbeze, refuses to pose in a swimsuit,
insisting that she is a classical singer, not a pin-up. Officials
support her decision. Miffed, Catalina swimwear
quits as a major sponsor of the Miss America Pageant and starts
planning its own promotional vehicle, the sexier sister pageants,
"Miss USA" and "Miss Universe."
1951
The first Miss
World Pageant is held to promote the Festival of Britain. Miss
Sweden, Kiki Haakonson, wins. The contest adopts the slogan "Beauty
with a Purpose" and aligns itself with Variety Clubs International
to raise funds for world charities.
1952
 Catalina holds
the Miss USA-Miss Universe sister pageants together in Long Beach,
California.
Thirty
American women compete for the first Miss USA title, won by New
York’s Jackie Lougherty. Twenty-nine international contestants
compete for the first Miss Universe title. Actress Piper Laurie
crowns the first winner, Finland’s Armi Kuusela.
 1953
The Coronation
of Queen Elizabeth inspires royal mania which influences public
ideas about pageantry and American queens.
1954
Coronation
of an American queen.....The first live coast-to-coast broadcast of
the Miss America Pageant airs on September 11th, 10 p.m. Lee
Meriwether is awarded the crown by a panel of judges that includes
movie queen Grace Kelly.
 1954
Songwriter, Bernie Wayne, of Blue Velvet fame, reads an article about the
upcoming first live broadcast of the Miss America Pageant. Inspired, he writes the song, There She Is, Miss America, in an hour flat.
1955
 Television personality, Bert Parks is hired
as the Miss America Pageant's master of ceremonies. He introduces
Wayne's tune, There She Is.
The man and the music are
instant hits.
 1956
As the popularity of the Miss
America pageant grows, so to does that of it's upstart rival, the Miss Universe
Pageant, as Miss USA, Carol Morris, of Iowa, is crowned Miss Universe 1956.
1957
 The newly-crowning Miss USA, Leona Gage, resigns after her mother-in-law informs the press that 18-year-old Gage is not only married to an Air Force sergeant, but is also the mother of two small sons. In
a sad scene, the teary-eyed titleholder explains that she entered the competition to earn prize money to supplement their family's military salary.
1958
 Jaycees expand
Mobile's Azalea contest into the
America's Junior Miss Pageant, a scholarship program to recognize outstanding achievement by
high school seniors. The pageant judges contestants on talent, poise, community service, and school grades. Rather than present the teenagers in swimsuits, officials substitute a choreographed physical fitness competition. Phyllis Whitenack, of West Virginia,
is the first winner. She later graduates from the University of
Central Florida.
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