Before the radio and television, debates would take place in the local town square.

Everyone would gather around and listen to their candidates debate in person. Sometimes, this lead to the throwing of spoiled food for the local loser.

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Eventually, homes became equipped with radios. Families would gather around the radios to hear all of their local news, debates, and sporting events.

But, by the 1950s, a new device began to steal the spotlight: the television. It quickly filled the living rooms of many homes across the United States.

Families began to gather around the television each night to see the latest broadcast. This increased the interest in current events, sports, and POLITICS!

On October 12, 1960, Senator John F. Kennedy and Vice President Richard Nixon squared off in the first televised debate with two presidential nominees in CBS studios in Chicago.

Roughly 70 million Americans tuned in to watch the debate from their living room televisions. This is the first time in history the American population was able to see a "face-to-face" debate between candidates. The pressure was on!

Senator John F. Kennedy thought about all of the obstacles he needed to overcome. He was young and perceived as too inexperienced. He began to study and prepare for the challenge.

Senator John F. Kennedy took some additional precautions. Knowing he was making a television debut, he worked on his tan and took a nap before his premiere.

Vice President Nixon was not as worried. He already had a promising campaign and was known for winning debates on the radio.  Nixon did not take the same precautions, and it showed.

Under the spotlight, John F. Kennedy looked calm, cool, and collected. Vice President Nixon was noted for looking "like death warmed over".

America watched as they debated topics over domestic issues, including minimum wage, healthcare, economic growth, and the threat of communism.