Updated

The annual Miss America Pageant will go on as scheduled on Sept. 22, despite cancellations of the Emmy Awards, Latin Grammys and many sporting events in the wake of Tuesday's terrorist attacks on New York and Washington.

Pageant officials made the decision Wednesday after consultation with ABC-TV and the contestants, said CEO Robert Renneisen.

Renneisen said he was mindful that some would see the decision to go ahead as disrespectful. But he said canceling the show for an act by "faithless, cowardly murderers" was the wrong statement to send.

Contestants arrived in Atlantic City on Monday to participate in preliminary events and rehearsals.

The pageant was founded in 1921 and was not held during the Depression. It has not been canceled since.