When the television lights dimmed early Saturday morning, Mississippi was still savoring its moment in the national spotlight.

For the first time in history, the Magnolia State hosted a U.S. presidential debate.

But for a few moments last week, the debate that had been planned for months and months, almost didn’t happen. Sen. John McCain initially announced he wanted to delay the debate while Congress worked on a plan to stave off the impending financial credit crisis.

Fortunately, McCain changed his tune and his debate with Sen. Barrack Obama went off without a hitch.

Historically, political pundits and historians say the debate isn’t particularly noteworthy. Neither candidate self-destructed nor were any great one-liners uttered.

But for Mississippians — including a few from Natchez — the debate created memories that will last a lifetime.

Natchez natives Hannah Loy and Ashton Pearson found themselves greatly involved in the debate.

Loy was one of a select group of Ole Miss students tapped to be volunteers during the debate.

Pearson, associate director of Ole Miss’ physical plant, worked for months, sometimes putting in 12-hour days to ensure the campus was ready for the debate and the throngs of media such an event brings.

But beyond the personal memories, the debate showed America that despite lingering stereotypes to the contrary, Mississippi is a modern state and capable of hosting even the most important national events.