Commission on Presidential Debates logo
HomeAbout CPDDebate HistoryNewsVoter EducationMedia Center
Commission on Presidential DebatesCommission on Presidential Debates
Printer-Friendly Page
In This Section

1858 Debates

1948 Debate

1956 Debate

1960 Debates

1976 Debates

1980 Debates

1984 Debates

1988 Debates

1992 Debates

1996 Debates

2000 Debates

2004 Debates

2008 Debates

1858 campaign button1858 Debates

Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas photos
Abraham Lincoln
Stephen A. Douglas

Illinois Senate Debates

Abraham Lincoln (R), Former United States Congressman (IL) and
Stephen A. Douglas (D), United States Senator (IL)

Dates:

August 21, August 27, September 15, September 18, October 7, October 13, October 15

Cities:

Seven Illinois congressional districts: Ottowa, Freeport, Jonesboro, Charleston, Galesburg, Quincy, Alton

Format:

Each debate lasted three hours; first candidate spoke for one hour; the second for one and a half hours; the first replying for a half hour. Candidates alternated going first.

Topics:

Primarily slavery and the Union

Video:

Video reenactment available from C-Span

© 2004 Commission on Presidential Debates. All rights reserved.

Commission on Presidential DebatesCommission on Presidential Debates