37 Photographs That Capture Defining Moments in American History

Pageants have long been a cherished Independence Day tradition and continue to captivate communities across the United States. In the 1961 Miss Wantagh pageant held in Long Island, this photograph captured the moment when the newly crowned Miss Wantagh received her well-deserved trophy.

Although it now seems like a thing of the past, during those times, these pageants fostered a sense of camaraderie and provided a stage for participants to display their talents and values. Today, many people criticize these pageants for focusing on physical beauty and nurturing ignorance and superficiality in our society.