Conversation so far:
What does kenneth what is the frequency refer to?
Rather was attacked and punched from behind by a man who demanded to know "Kenneth, what is the frequency?" while a second assailant chased and beat him.
when was he attacked?
On October 4, 1986.

Question: What did they do to Dan?
Self-contained rewrite: What did two assailants do to Dan Rather on October 4, 1986?