1984 : Miss America resigns
On this day in 1984, 21-year-old Vanessa Williams gives up her Miss
America title, the first resignation in the pageant's history, after
Penthouse magazine announces plans to publish nude photos of the
beauty queen in its September issue. Williams originally made history
on September 17, 1983, when she became the first black woman to win
the Miss America crown. Miss New Jersey, Suzette Charles, the first
runner-up and also an African American, assumed Williams' tiara for
the two months that remained of her reign.
Vanessa Lynn Williams was born March 18, 1963, in Millwood, New York,
to music teacher parents. She attended Syracuse University and studied
musical theater. In 1982, while working a summer job as a receptionist
at a modeling agency in Mt. Kisco, New York, photographer Thomas
Chiapel took the nude pictures of Williams, telling her they'd be shot
in silhouette and that she wouldn't be recognizable. After Williams
became Miss America, the photographer sold the pictures to Penthouse
without her knowledge. Williams later dropped lawsuits against the
magazine and photographer after it was learned that she had signed a
model release form at the time the photos were taken.
The Miss America pageant, which prides itself on projecting a
wholesome, positive image of women, began in 1921 in Atlantic City,
New Jersey, as a stunt developed by local businessmen to extend the
summer tourist season. In 1945, the Miss America Organization handed
out its first scholarship. Today, it provides over $45 million each
year in cash and tuition assistance to contestants on the national,
state and local levels. In 1954, the competition was broadcast live
for the first time. Beginning in the 1980s, contestants were required
to have a social platform, such as drunk-driving prevention or AIDS
awareness, and Miss America winners now travel an estimated 20,000
miles a month for speaking engagements and public appearances. In
2006, following a decline in TV ratings, the pageant moved from
Atlantic City for the first time in its history and took place in Las
Vegas, where a new Miss America was crowned in January instead of
September.
Vanessa Williams rebounded from the Miss America scandal and went on
to a successful entertainment career as an actress and recording
artist, performing on Broadway as well as in movies and television and
releasing a number of popular albums.
history.com/tdih.do
1952 : Military seizes power in Egypt
history.com/tdih.do?action=tdihArticleCategory&id=5201
1967 : The 12th Street riot
history.com/tdih.do?action=tdihArticleCategory&id=6967
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America title, the first resignation in the pageant's history, after
Penthouse magazine announces plans to publish nude photos of the
beauty queen in its September issue. Williams originally made history
on September 17, 1983, when she became the first black woman to win
the Miss America crown. Miss New Jersey, Suzette Charles, the first
runner-up and also an African American, assumed Williams' tiara for
the two months that remained of her reign.
Vanessa Lynn Williams was born March 18, 1963, in Millwood, New York,
to music teacher parents. She attended Syracuse University and studied
musical theater. In 1982, while working a summer job as a receptionist
at a modeling agency in Mt. Kisco, New York, photographer Thomas
Chiapel took the nude pictures of Williams, telling her they'd be shot
in silhouette and that she wouldn't be recognizable. After Williams
became Miss America, the photographer sold the pictures to Penthouse
without her knowledge. Williams later dropped lawsuits against the
magazine and photographer after it was learned that she had signed a
model release form at the time the photos were taken.
The Miss America pageant, which prides itself on projecting a
wholesome, positive image of women, began in 1921 in Atlantic City,
New Jersey, as a stunt developed by local businessmen to extend the
summer tourist season. In 1945, the Miss America Organization handed
out its first scholarship. Today, it provides over $45 million each
year in cash and tuition assistance to contestants on the national,
state and local levels. In 1954, the competition was broadcast live
for the first time. Beginning in the 1980s, contestants were required
to have a social platform, such as drunk-driving prevention or AIDS
awareness, and Miss America winners now travel an estimated 20,000
miles a month for speaking engagements and public appearances. In
2006, following a decline in TV ratings, the pageant moved from
Atlantic City for the first time in its history and took place in Las
Vegas, where a new Miss America was crowned in January instead of
September.
Vanessa Williams rebounded from the Miss America scandal and went on
to a successful entertainment career as an actress and recording
artist, performing on Broadway as well as in movies and television and
releasing a number of popular albums.
history.com/tdih.do
1952 : Military seizes power in Egypt
history.com/tdih.do?action=tdihArticleCategory&id=5201
1967 : The 12th Street riot
history.com/tdih.do?action=tdihArticleCategory&id=6967
########################################
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