On this day in 1956, former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and Senator Margaret Chase Smith debated each other in the first nationally televised presidential debate in the U.S. 

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On this day in 1793, writer and activist Olympe de Gouges was executed for sedition.

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On this day in 1936, the BBC began broadcasting the first regular, high-definition TV service from Alexandra Palace in London. 

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On this day in 1879, the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, an off-reservation school for the assimilation of Native Americans, opened in Pennsylvania.

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On this day in 1951, the zebra crossing, or white striped pedestrian crossing, was officially introduced in Slough, England. 

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On this day in 1974, Muhammad Ali and George Foreman fought each other for the world heavyweight championship in Zaire in one of the most memorable boxing matches in history. 

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On this day in 1940, thieves in broke into the American Museum of Natural History in New York and stole valuable gems, including the Star of India and the DeLong Star Ruby. 

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On this day in 1940, Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas rejected an ultimatum from Italy to allow Axis forces to occupy strategic sites in Greece. 

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On this day in 1858, Theodore Roosevelt Jr. was born. For a look at how Roosevelt faced his greatest foes, check out Mental Floss’s new podcast History Vs. here, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

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On this day in 1985, Australia returned ownership of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to the Anangu people. 

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