Charles Darwin embarks on the HMS Beagle, "Howdy Doody" makes its TV debut, Apollo 8 splashes down after orbiting the Moon, and the Soviet Union occupies Afghanistan, all on this day.
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Jason Cohn/Reuters
2000: Mario Lemieux, owner of Pittsburgh Penguins, returns to the NHL against the Toronto Maple Leafs after retiring in 1997. The game was nationally broadcast on ESPN2 in the U.S. and on Hockey Night in Canada. Lemieux proved that his scoring touch had not disappeared by scoring a goal and three points, including an assist 33 seconds into the first shift of his return. He also became the first owner/player in NHL history.