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Historical Context

The 1950s atomic era was a period of paranoia, communist scares, McCarthyism and... beauty pageants. Nuclear themed beauty pageants, of course!

In 1955, Linda Lawson was declared the winner of the Atomic Pageant. Her victory coincided with the Operation Cue atomic tests, which were long delayed by high winds and weather, so she became known as "Miss-Cue".

There were four winners, with the last crowned in 1957. They took place in Las Vegas to celebrate the city's two main attractions: nuclear bombs and showgirls.

Photo Info

Photographer: Nevada Press
Date taken: May 1, 1955
Location taken: Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Source: UNLV Archives

Related Events

• 1955-05-01 Showgirl Linda Lawson is crowned "Miss-Cue" in the Atomic Pageant, after the Operation Cue test is repeatedly delayed by high winds

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