In 1921, the first Miss America Beauty Pageant was held in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

When officials introduced the first Miss America Beauty Pageant, they said, “Miss America represents the highest ideals. She is a real combination of beauty, grace, and intelligence, artistic and refined. She is a type which the American girl might well emulate.”

In years since then, Miss America winners have been intent on making a difference in people’s lives through charitable and community projects. For example, Jean Bartel, Miss America 1943, used her celebrity in the war effort, and she was credited with selling more war bonds than anyone else in the country—$2.5 million worth of them. Kate Shindle, Miss America 1998, spent her year of service talking to groups about the HIV-AIDS cause, attending the 12^th World AIDS Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

Miss America today continues that tradition, traveling more than 20,000 miles a month, promoting her ideals and carrying out her commitment to help others. According to pageant officials, Miss America is more than just a title. Miss America represents a tradition of style, sophistication, and service.

Thousands of years before Miss America ever walked down the runway in Atlantic City, a young Jewish girl won a beauty pageant of her own. For her beauty and grace, Esther earned the title Queen and an honored place in her husband’s palace. Yet, when she was faced with a choice of losing all of it, including her life, in order to help save her people, Esther knew she had only one choice. She had to speak up, no matter what the consequences.

Esther’s beauty and character won the king’s heart and affection. But it was her courage and her willingness to serve others that saved God’s people.

Esther was more than just another queen. She was God’s woman, ready to answer his call.

When it was Esther’s turn to go to the king, she accepted the advice of Hegai, the eunuch in charge of the harem. She asked for nothing except what he suggested, and she was admired by everyone who saw her (Esther 2:15).

To Do

Make a list of the characteristics that you believe make a person truly beautiful. Who best fits those traits?

Also on this day

1533—Queen Elizabeth I of England was born in Greenwich.

1813—The nickname Uncle Sam was first used as a symbolic reference to the United States.

1860—American painter Anna Mary (Robertson) Moses was born in New York. Today is known as “Grandma Moses Day.”

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.