February 17

Saturday 17, 1979:

The Sino-Vietnamese War begins.

Sunday 17, 1974:

Robert Preston, a disgruntled U.S. Army private, buzzes the White House with a stolen helicopter.

Tuesday 17, 1959:

The first weather satellite, Vanguard 2, was launched to measure cloud-cover distribution.

Wednesday 17, 1621:

Miles Standish is appointed as first commander of Plymouth colony.

Saturday 17, 1500:

Battle of Hemmingstedt

More on February, 17

• February, 17 in History
• People Born on February, 17
• They left us on February, 17