This Day in History:, First Kennedy-Nixon Debate .br September 26, 1960.br The debate between the twobr major party presidential candidates br was the first to be televised in U.S. history.br The presidential hopefuls br met in Chicago to discuss br U.S. domestic affairs.br Nixon declined to wear makeup. br He came across as nervous to television viewers.br Kennedy's charisma helped him br to rise as the apparent winner.br Weeks after the debates, br Kennedy won the popular vote by one of the br narrowest margins in U.S. presidential election history.