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This Day In History: 09/26/1960 - First Kennedy-Nixon Debate (1:00)

For the first time in U.S. history, a debate between major party presidential candidates is shown on television. The presidential hopefuls, John F. Kennedy, a Democratic senator of Massachusetts, and Richard M. Nixon, the vice president of the United States, met in a Chicago studio to discuss U.S. domestic matters. Kennedy emerged the apparent winner from this first of four televised debates, partly owing to his greater ease before the camera than Nixon, who, unlike Kennedy, seemed nervous and declined to wear makeup. Nixon fared better in the second and third debates, and on October 21 the candidates met to discuss foreign affairs in their fourth and final debate. Less than three weeks later, on November 8, Kennedy won 49.7 percent of the popular vote in one of the closest presidential elections in U.S. history, surpassing by a fraction the 49.6 percent received by his Republican opponent.

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Videos (10)

  • This Day In History: 09/26/1960 - First Kennedy-Nixon Debate
    This Day In History: 09/26/1960 - First Kennedy-Nixon Debate

    Video Clip (1:00)

    For the first time in U.S. history, a debate between major party presidential candidates is shown on television. The presidential hopefuls, John F. Kennedy, a Democratic senator of Massachusetts, and Richard M. Nixon, the vice president of the United States, met in a Chicago studio to discuss U.S. domestic matters. Kennedy emerged the apparent winner from this first of four televised debates, partly owing to his greater ease before the camera than Nixon, who, unlike Kennedy, seemed nervous and declined to wear makeup. Nixon fared better in the second and third debates, and on October 21 the candidates met to discuss foreign affairs in their fourth and final debate. Less than three weeks later, on November 8, Kennedy won 49.7 percent of the popular vote in one of the closest presidential elections in U.S. history, surpassing by a fraction the 49.6 percent received by his Republican opponent.

    Video Clip (1:00)
  • The First JFK-Nixon Debate
    The First JFK-Nixon Debate

    Video Clip (2:30)

    Charisma and on-camera personality were keys to winning the first televised presidential debate.

    Video Clip (2:30)
  • JFK: A New Generation
    JFK: A New Generation

    Video Clip (3:57)

    John F. Kennedy's progressive agenda during the 1960s inspired a new generation of optimism in America.

    Video Clip (3:57)
  • Space: JFK's New Frontier
    Space: JFK's New Frontier

    Video Clip (3:55)

    On February 20, 1962, Colonel John Glenn became the first human to orbit the earth, launching the manned space program.

    Video Clip (3:55)
  • Cuban Missile Crisis
    Cuban Missile Crisis

    Video Clip (2:22)

    Get the story of the dramatic face-off that nearly ended in nuclear war, as told by musician and artist Jeffrey Lewis.

    Video Clip (2:22)
  • Inaugural Address: John F. Kennedy
    Inaugural Address: John F. Kennedy

    Video Clip (2:53)

    Excerpts from John F. Kennedy's inaugural address on Friday, January 20, 1961.

    Video Clip (2:53)
  • Jackie Kennedy: Queen of Camelot
    Jackie Kennedy: Queen of Camelot

    Video Clip (2:42)

    Jackie Kennedy epitomized the youth and glamour of the Kennedy family.

    Video Clip (2:42)
  • Campaign Spot: Best Qualified (1960)
    Campaign Spot: Best Qualified (1960)

    Video Clip (1:01)

    After some misinterpreted comments by President Eisenhower about Nixon that JFK used in a campaign ad against his opponent (Nixons Experience), Eisenhower fully endorses Nixon. But it was too little, too late. JFK won the election, by a slim margin.

    Video Clip (1:01)
  • Nixon's Summation
    Nixon's Summation

    Video Clip (3:19)

    Listen to the important issues in 1960 in this History Channel video of one of the first televised debates, which took place between Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy. The video shows Nixon stating his views from the Soviet Union to health insurance.

    Video Clip (3:19)
  • Nixon's Opening Statement
    Nixon's Opening Statement

    Video Clip (2:34)

    In his opening statement during the first of four "Great Debates" between the two candidates in 1960, Richard Nixon agrees with John F. Kennedy's view of international affairs but disputes the notion that the country's growth has been stagnant.

    Video Clip (2:34)

Photo Galleries (2)

  • John F. Kennedy
    John F. Kennedy

    20 Photos

    See pictures from the life and presidency of John F. Kennedy.

    (20 Photos)
  • Richard Nixon
    Richard Nixon

    18 Photos

    See pictures from the life and presidency of Richard Nixon.

    (18 Photos)

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Read More about The Kennedy-Nixon Debates

In 1960, John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon squared off in the first televised presidential debates in American history.

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