On This Day

First Lincoln-Douglas debate in Illinois

The Lincoln–Douglas debates were a series of seven debates in 1858 between Abraham Lincoln, the Republican Party candidate for the United States Senate from Illinois, and incumbent Senator Stephen...

The Lincoln–Douglas debates were a series of seven debates in 1858 between Abraham Lincoln, the Republican Party candidate for the United States Senate from Illinois, and incumbent Senator Stephen Douglas, the Democratic Party candidate. Until the Seventeenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which provides that senators shall be elected by the people of their states, was ratified in 1913, senators were elected by their respective state legislatures. Therefore, Lincoln and Douglas were trying to win the people's votes for legislators in the Illinois General Assembly, aligned with their respective political parties.

The debates were designed to generate publicity—some of the first examples of what in modern parlance would be characterized as "media events".

Historical Significance

The Lincoln–Douglas debates were a series of seven debates in 1858 between Abraham Lincoln, the Republican Party candidate for the United States Senate from Illinois, and incumbent Senator Stephen Douglas, the Democratic Party candidate.

Events Before

  1. Tim Keefe is born

    Tim Keefe, American athlete, known for american baseball player, was born on 1857-01-01.

  2. Novelist Jules Verne (28) weds Honorine de Viane Morel

    Novelist Jules Verne (28) weds Honorine de Viane Morel

  3. National Association of Base Ball Players is founded in New York City

    The National Association of Base Ball Players (NABBP) was the first organization governing American baseball (spelled as two words in the 19th century). The first convention of 16 New York City area…

  4. University of Calcutta is founded as the first full-fledged university in South Asia

    University of Calcutta is founded as the first full-fledged university in South Asia

  5. Second Opium War: France and the United Kingdom declare war on China

    Second Opium War: France and the United Kingdom declare war on China

Events After

  1. One of the oldest known copies of the Bible, "The Codex Sinaiticus" (Sinai Bible), is seen in Egypt by Constantin von Ti

    One of the oldest known copies of the Bible, "The Codex Sinaiticus" (Sinai Bible), is seen in Egypt by Constantin von Tischendorf, who takes the manuscript home

  2. Charles Gounod's opera "Faust" premieres at the Théâtre Lyrique in Paris, France

    The Théâtre Lyrique was one of four opera companies performing in Paris during the middle of the 19th century (the other three being the Opéra, the Opéra-Comique, and the Théâtre-Italien).

  3. Charles Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities" is first published in the literary periodical "All the Year Round" in weekly ins

    Charles Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities" is first published in the literary periodical "All the Year Round" in weekly installments until November 26

  4. US President Chester A. Arthur (30) weds Ellen Herndon (22) at Calvary Episcopal Church in NYC, New York

    US President Chester A. Arthur (30) weds Ellen Herndon (22) at Calvary Episcopal Church in NYC, New York

  5. English naturalist Charles Darwin publishes "On the Origin of Species," radically changing the view of evolution and lay

    English naturalist Charles Darwin publishes "On the Origin of Species," radically changing the view of evolution and laying the foundation for evolutionary biology

More from the 1850s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on August 21, 1858?
The Lincoln–Douglas debates were a series of seven debates in 1858 between Abraham Lincoln, the Republican Party candidate for the United States Senate from Illinois, and incumbent Senator Stephen Douglas, the Democratic Party candidate. Until the Seventeenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which provides that senators shall be elected by the people of their states, was ratified in 1913, senators were elected by their respective state legislatures. Therefore, Lincoln and Douglas were trying to win the people's votes for legislators in the Illinois General Assembly, aligned with their respective political parties.
Why is First Lincoln-Douglas debate in Illinois significant?
The Lincoln–Douglas debates were a series of seven debates in 1858 between Abraham Lincoln, the Republican Party candidate for the United States Senate from Illinois, and incumbent Senator Stephen Douglas, the Democratic Party candidate.

Explore More