This week on Roots of Today we look at the history of American presidential debates — from the marathon Lincoln–Douglas encounters of 1858 to the viral soundbites of the modern era. Along the way, we’ll revisit the lines, gestures, and gaffes that shaped elections and defined how Americans saw their leaders.

Because debates are more than performances — they are snapshots of democracy — I’ve also included a “Further Reading” section for each era we cover. These resources aren’t required homework; they’re an invitation. If a moment in this episode catches your imagination, you’ll find books and guides below to help you dig deeper and see the debates through a historian’s lens.

Host: Alan

Research: Elena, the Roots of Today archivist

Music by: Andrii Poradovskyi (lNPLUSMUSIC - Pixabay)

Show Notes: www.rootsoftoday.blog