#OTD20 | September 26, 1960
The First Televised Presidential Debate: Kennedy vs. Nixon
September 26, 1960: John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon participate in the first-ever televised presidential debate, forever changing the landscape of American politics.
The debate not only catapults Kennedy into the national spotlight but also sets the precedent for the vital role of television in political campaigning.
In a Chicago studio, the youthful Democratic nominee John F. Kennedy and the experienced Republican Vice President Richard Nixon come face-to-face. Nixon, recovering from a recent illness, appears pale and nervous, while Kennedy looks tanned and confident.
As millions of Americans watch from their living rooms, the candidates spar over domestic issues and foreign policy. The nation is spellbound, and opinion polls immediately reflect a surge in support for Kennedy.
It's clear the medium of television adds a new layer of complexity to political campaigning. Image, charisma, telegenic appeal, and media savvy now become as important as a candidate’s platform and record.
The Nixon-Kennedy debates mark a significant turning point, showing that the medium is, in some ways, the message. Political campaigns would never be the same again.
Viewing Options
The Kennedy-Nixon debate is featured in our standards-based program, "The Sixties," from "America in the 20th Century."
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#OTD20
Step back in time to experience the significant events that happened on this day in the 20th century.
September 30, 1938: Neville Chamberlain and the Munich Agreement – ‘Peace In Our Time’
#OTD20 — September 30, 1938: British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain believes war with German has been averted, declaring the Munich Agreement affords “peace in our time.”
September 25, 1919: Woodrow Wilson Incapacitated
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Continue Reading “September 25, 1919: Woodrow Wilson Incapacitated”
September 24, 1957: Ike Orders Federal Troops into Little Rock
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September 23, 1952: Nixon’s Checkers Speech
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September 23, 1913: Colorado Coalfield War begins
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September 22, 1961: The Peace Corps is Created
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September 21, 1949: Mao Zedong Declares People’s Republic of China
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September 20, 1962: James Meredith Blocked at Ole Miss
#OTD20 — September20, 1962: James Meredith attempts to register at the University of Mississippi but is obstructed by Governor Ross Barnett. Barnett’s defiant act directly challenges a U.S. Supreme Court ruling and sets the stage for a federal intervention.
September 18, 1947: The CIA is Born
#OTD20 — September 18, 1947: The Central Intelligence Agency comes into existence, authorized by National Security Act of 1947.
September 17, 1939: Soviet Union Invades Poland
#OTD20 — September 17, 1939: Forces from the Russian army invade Poland, coming on the heels of the German invasion just two weeks earlier. The offensive effectively splits Poland in two.
September 16, 1940: U.S. Introduces Military Draft
#OTD20 — September 16, 1940: A military draft is introduced, marking a critical step in America’s preparation for World War II.
September 15, 1963: Birmingham Church Bombing
#OTD20 — September 15, 1963: a bomb explodes at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama killing four young girls: Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley, Carole Robertson, and Denise McNair.
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