The first televised United States presidential debate was held in Chicago on September 26th, 1960 between Senator John F. Kennedy and Vice President Richard Nixon. There were a total of four televised debates between these two candidates however the first debate gathered the most attention with upwards of 70 million viewers. Most Americans believed that Kennedy had won the first presidential debate. Nixon did not prepare well for the televised event. He had campaigned until a few hours before the debate, refused makeup, and was still recovering from a hospital stay, resulting in his appearing ill. In contrast, Kennedy was well rested, prepared and appeared confident and healthy. While the Kennedy / Nixon presidential debate was the first televised debate, there were previous political debates, most notably the 1858 Senate debates between Abraham Lincoln and Senator Stephen A. Douglas.

This is a photo of Peter Lawford and John F Kennedy added by Amanda S. Stevenson on July 21, 2020.

This is a photo of Peter Lawford and John F Kennedy added by Amanda S. Stevenson on July 21, 2020.

This is a photo of John F Kennedy added by Amanda S. Stevenson on June 8, 2020.

This is a photo of Robert Francis Kennedy and John F Kennedy added by Amanda S. Stevenson on June 7, 2020.

This is a photo of John Fitzgerald Kennedy added by Amanda S. Stevenson on June 7, 2020.

This is a photo of John Fitzgerald Kennedy added by Amanda S. Stevenson on June 7, 2020.

This is a photo of John F Kennedy and Roger Maris added by Amanda S. Stevenson on May 20, 2020.

John F. Kennedy Assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald.

A photo of Jawarharlal Nehru, President John Kennedy, and VP Lydon Johnson

A photo of Jack and Jackie Kennedy cutting their wedding cake.

A photo of future President and First Lady Jack and Jackie Kennedy at their wedding.

A photo of Jackie Kennedy (with Jack) in a pillbox hat. She made pillboxes very popular!

A photo of Jack Kennedy with Jackie (Bouvier) Kennedy when he was a Senator.

A photo of President Jack Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy relaxing.

A photo of Jack and Jackie Kennedy at a White House ball, 1962.

A photo of President Jack Kennedy and First Lady Jackie Kennedy at one of their inaugural balls.

A photo of future President Jack Kennedy and future First Lady Jackie Kennedy on their honeymoon in Acapulco Mexico in 1953.

This is a photo of John F Kennedy added by Ancient Faces on January 11, 2012.

A photo of some of the Kennedy family at Jack and Jackie's wedding. Included: Jack, Jackie,Teddy, and Bobby.

A photo of John F. Kennedy with Jackie Kennedy and the Connolly's in the Dallas motorcade.

A photo of the wedding of John Fitzgerald Kennedy and Jacqueline (Bouvier) Kennedy

A photo of (left to right) John F. Kennedy, a ONE Precious Blood Sister (unknown), Sr. Mary Lillian and SISTER PAULISSA REMAKLUS