Miss Universe 2015: The pageant in photos

Sunday was a big night for beauty pageants.

For the first time since 1972, Iraq held a pageant crowning Shaymaa Abdelrahman as Miss Iraq. She will represent the country at the 2016 Miss Universe as the first Iraqi contest in 40 years. Meanwhile, in China, Miss Spain claimed victory at the Miss World competition.

But the show everyone is talking about this morning is Miss Universe.

Considered one of the most publicized beauty competitions in the world – its rivals are Miss World and Miss Earth – Miss Universe was officially formed in 1952, though earlier iterations began as early at 1926. Aside from the massive crown – this year’s weighed in at 411 grams – winners receive a one year contract with the Miss Universe Organization, travelling the world and serving as a representative of beauty, both inside and out.

ALSO SEE: Miss World 2015 final: Twitter reacts to Miss Spain victory, claims Miss Lebanon should have won

Click through the gallery above to see how Sunday’s events played out and let us know your thoughts by tweeting @YahooStyleCA

All images via Ethan Miller/Getty Images