Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump (left) and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton face off in the first debate on Sept. 26, 2016 at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. (Wikipedia Commons)
By: Hunter Crowther
The highly-anticipated first U.S. presidential debate will take place Monday night at Hofstra University, and it could sway the minds of undecided voters.
The two major party candidates, Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump, will square off in a 90-minute debate. Moderated by NBC News anchor Lester Holt, the debate will consist of six 15-minute segments with no commercial breaks.
Some political pundits think debates only reinforce voters’ preconceived notions and don’t have an effect on the polls. But past forums between presidential candidates have produced memorable moments that shaped the landscape of the election.
For example, on this date 56 years ago, the first televised presidential debate took place between Sen. John F. Kennedy, D-Mass., and Vice-President Richard Nixon (R). The next half-century would produce several memorable debate moments.
The debate will go live at 9 p.m.