PowerPoint Show by Andrew

It’s been more than 50 years since America’s first televised presidential debates, but the four TV showdowns between Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy in the fall of 1960 still hold a prominent—and deserved—place in United States political lore.

The details of the debates have been recounted innumerable times in the subsequent decades, with every hand gesture, every utterance and every close-up dissected and weighed for its significance.

The stories, meanwhile, of how Nixon showed up to the very first debate looking pale and glistening with sweat beneath the glare of the studio lights, while JFK looked (literally) tanned and rested, haven’t lost any of their power simply because they’re true.

Prior to the first Kennedy-Nixon debate, 1960.

John F. Kennedy, moderator Howard K. Smith and Richard Nixon - 1960.

Presidential candidates Sen. John Kennedy and Richard Nixon stand at lecterns as moderator Howard K. Smith presides at first debate, 1960.

Jackie Kennedy watches from the wings.

John F. Kennedy gestures during the Kennedy-Nixon debates.

John Kennedy and Richard Nixon after the second debate, 1960.