First Kennedy–Nixon Debate

John F. Kennedy

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John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon meet in the first of their televised debates during the 1960 presidential campaign. The recording captures the candidates addressing the issues and making their cases directly to the American public.

As a political broadcast, it offers a chance to hear the candidates’ words and speaking styles in the moment, rather than through later commentary. The exchange is a landmark example of campaign debate on television and a revealing document of American political life.


This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.