Lincoln-Douglas Square, located in downtown Alton, IL, is the site of the 7th Congressional Debate of 1858 between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas in a campaign for one of two Illinois United States Senate seats. Between August and October of 1858, seven three hour long debates were held throughout the state. One for each congressional district. At the time of the debates, Lincoln was an unknown politician. The seventh and last debate was held in Alton on October 15. About 5,000 people gathered for the debate, as Lincoln's stance on slavery had put him into the political limelight. Although he lost the Senate race to Douglas in 1858, he defeated him in the run for presidency two years later in 1860.
http://www.greatriverroad.com/cities/alton/lincoln.htm
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