Nixon Kennedy: The first televised presidential debate

In 1960, the first-ever debate between presidential nominees took place as Democrat John F. Kennedy and Republican Richard M. Nixon faced off before a national TV audience from Chicago.

The Moderator was Howard K. Smith and it was filmed at CBS's WBBM-TV studios. AP photographer Bill Chaplis was on hand to document First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy as she hosted a group of Democratic leaders at a television watching party in her Hyannis Port, Massachusetts home.

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The First Televised Presidential Debate

Jacqueline Kennedy, left center, sits in her living room with a group of Democrats watching her husband, John F. Kennedy, presidential candidate, on television debating domestic affairs with Vice President Richard Nixon, at her Hyannis Port, Mass., home, Sept. 26, 1960. (AP Photo/Bill Chaplis)

The First Televised Presidential Debate

Jacqueline Kennedy, wife of John F. Kennedy, Democratic presidential candidate, watches her husband debate with Vice President Richard Nixon on television in her home in Hyannis Port, Mass., Sept. 26, 1960. Woman at right is unidentified. (AP Photo/Bill Chaplis)

The First Televised Presidential Debate

Jacqueline Kennedy tunes in the television in her home in Hyannis Port, Mass., Sept. 26, 1960, just before her husband John F. Kennedy and Vice President Richard Nixon were to enter into a nationally telecast debate.  (AP Photo/Bill Chaplis)

The First Televised Presidential Debate

Sen. John F. Kennedy goes over his notes and Vice President Richard Nixon stands in rear of a television studio in Chicago on Sept. 26, 1960 before they debated campaign issues. (AP Photo)

The First Televised Presidential Debate

U.S. Republican presidential candidate Vice President Richard M. Nixon wipes his face with a handkerchief during the nationally televised first of four presidential debates with Sen. John F. Kennedy, Democratic nominee, in Chicago, Ill., Sept. 26, 1960. For the first time in US history a debate between presidential candidates is shown on television. (AP Photo)

The First Televised Presidential Debate

Jacqueline Kennedy, wife of Democratic presidential candidate John F. Kennedy, watches her husband debate with Vice President Richard Nixon on a nation-wide television program, at her Hyannis Port, Mass. home on Sept. 26, 1960. Harvard professer Archibald Cox sits beside Mrs. Kennedy who was host to a group of Democratic party officials and members of the press. (AP Photo/Bill Chaplis)

The First Televised Presidential Debate

Presidential candidates Sen. John F. Kennedy, left, and Vice President Richard M. Nixon are shown following their nationally televised first of four presidential debates at a television studio in Chicago, Ill., Sept. 26, 1960. (AP Photo)

The First Televised Presidential Debate

Republican presidential candidate Richard Nixon leaves the lectern at left during his televised debate with his Democratic opponent Sen. John Kennedy, who is seated at left at Chicago on Sept. 26, 1960. Moderator Howard K. Smith is partially hidden behind Kennedy's lectern. Two of the panelists are seated at right. (AP Photo)

The First Televised Presidential Debate

Sen. John Kennedy, Democratic presidential candidate, slaps hands together, Sept. 26, 1960 in Chicago as he spoke in his debate tonight with Vice President Richard Nixon at a Chicago television studio. (AP Photo)

The First Televised Presidential Debate

A slight smile breaks out on face of Republican presidential candidate Richard Nixon as he appeared on Sept. 26, 1960 at Chicago television studio during his debate with Sen. John Kennedy, Democratic opponent. (AP Photo)

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