The first televised presidential debates took place between a man named John Kennedy, and another by the name of Richard Nixon. The latter had a darker complexion, a five o’clock shadow and let’s face it - he wasn’t as young and attractive as JFK. Many historians believe that if these debates had not been televised, for the very first time giving Americans an up close and personal look at their candidates, the election might have gone a different way. That’s the power of television.

Now, all debates are televised. Hours and hours of news coverage are devoted to those debates, to interviewing the candidates, to talking about political ideas and promises. For months, those same television newscasters have been talking about this year’s presidential election, and in their way they have helped to write one of the most important pages of history. That’s right: it’s official. Barack Obama has secured the democratic presidential nomination. CNN, via television, broke the story first.

It all began when the polls closed in South Dakota last night. “Tonight, we mark the end of one historic journey with the beginning of another - a journey that will bring a new and better day to America,” said Obama to his supporters during the obligatory victory speech. “Tonight, I can stand before you and say that I will be the democratic nominee for president of the United States.” And today, we stand on the other side of the moment that American history completely changed.

But how in the world did this happen? How could a relatively unknown man of African descent go up against the might and power of a political machine like the Clintons? I think you already know the answer: television.

Thanks to this wondrous device which keeps us entertained and informed, Senate newcomer Barack Obama is a stranger no more. He was pit against some of the most well-known names in the political circuit, candidates who had successfully staged plenty of their own elections in the past. As more Americans got to know this once-unknown man, he began to climb to the top of the political heap. If television had never brought Obama into your living room, do you think you would have any idea who he is?

Of course, Hillary Clinton has not yet conceded the race. “This has been a long campaign, and I will be making no decisions tonight,” she told her supporters after the polls closed.

But major decisions will come. Obama will choose a running mate and move forward into the general presidential election. You know what that means - we have a lot more debates to look forward to. Thanks to television, we will have the option of personally viewing every single moment. How will it help to change the rest of American history?