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Images: #TBT Gallery looks back at suburban pageants

This week's #TBT Gallery features beauty pageants from around the suburbs.

As the summer months arrive and suburban towns host local fairs, young girls and women vie for the right to represent their towns by showcasing their talents during these pageants.

One of the first beauty pageants ever held was during the Eglinton Tournament of 1839, organized by Archibald Montgomerie, 13th Earl of Eglinton, during a re-enactment of a Scottish medieval joust. The "Queen of Beauty" was bestowed upon Georgiana Seymour, Duchess of Somerset, and the wife of Edward Seymour, 12th Duke of Somerset.

In America, The first modern beauty contest can be traced back to the 1850s when Phineas T. Barnum, of circus fame, held a pageant that involved the display of women's faces and figures in front of judges.

The Miss America pageant is the oldest pageant still in operation today. The contest was organized in 1921 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, as a way of attracting tourists to the area. The first winner of the pageant was 16-year-old Margaret Gorman of Washington, D.C., and she was crowned Miss America 1921, winning both the popularity and beauty contests. She was awarded $100, beating out other beauties from local newspaper beauty contests.

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Miss Mount Prospect is all smiles after winning the beauty contest in July 1974. Daily Herald File Photo
Contestants dance together during the Miss Schaumburg pageant in May 1981. Daily Herald File Photo
Miss Arlington Heights performs during the Miss Illinois Pageant in Aurora during June 1967. Daily Herald File Photo
Miss Palatine performs at the Miss Illinois Pageant in Aurora during June 1967. Daily Herald File Photo
The General Chairman hands the trophy to the winner of the Miss Mount Prospect pageant in June 1967. Daily Herald File Photo
A contestant performs during the talent portion of the Miss Palatine pageant in July 1965. Daily Herald File Photo
A contestant walks out on stage during the evening gown portion of the Miss Palatine pageant in July 1965. Daily Herald File Photo
A contestant performs during the talent portion of the Miss Hoffman Estates pageant in July 1966. Daily Herald File Photo
A contestant performs during the talent portion of the Miss Hoffman Estates contest in July 1966. Daily Herald File Photo
The beauty contestants wait to hear the announcement of the winner of the Miss Mount Prospect pageant in July 1974. Daily Herald File Photo
Contestants come out on stage during the Miss Illinois contest in Aurora during July 1975. Daily Herald File Photo
A contestant is shocked as her name is announced during the Miss Mount Prospect pageant in July 1975. Daily Herald File Photo
The Master of Ceremonies prepares to name the winner in the Miss Mount Prospect pageant in July 1975. Daily Herald File Photo
Women wait on stage during the Senior Citizens pageant at Randhurst Shopping Center in Mount Prospect in September 1974. Daily Herald File Photo
A contestant is crowned and given roses during the Senior Citizens pageant at Randhurst Shopping Center in Mount Prospect in September 1974. Daily Herald File Photo
A contestant is all smiles after talking to the judges during the Miss Arlington Park pageant in Arlington Heights during September 1974. Daily Herald File Photo
A contestant wears a crown after being named Miss Arlington Park at a pageant in Arlington Heights during September 1974. Daily Herald File Photo
Contestants sing to an audience during the Miss Illinois pageant in Aurora during July 1975. Daily Herald File Photo
Contestants fill the stage at the Miss Illinois pageant in Aurora in July 1975. Daily Herald File Photo
Young woman line up in bathing suits during the Miss Buffalo Grove pageant in July 1975. Daily Herald File Photo
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