The first of the most famous series of debates in American political history was held between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas in Ottawa, Illinois on this day in 1858. They were both running for the senate seat that was held by Douglas.

They would have a series of seven public debates. In the debates Lincoln argued against the spead of slavery while Douglas maintained that each territory should have the right to decide the issue for itself. Taking this stance would win the election for the Senate for Douglas but 2 years later would lose it for him when he would face Lincoln for the Presidency of the United States.

It has to be interesting for the crowds to see this pair debate. Lincoln stood 6 foot 4. Douglas was 5’4″ his nickname was “The Little Giant”