Today in History - February 17 | Hail of bullets greets rogue pilot as he breaches world's most guarded building
Disgruntled US soldier Robert Preston took his grievances straight to the top when he flew a stolen military helicopter onto the lawn of the White House on February 17, 1974.
Preston's dreams were shattered when he was kicked out of helicopter pilot training by army chiefs, and instead put on training to be an aviation mechanic.
Deciding he would appeal in person to commander-in-chief US President Richard Nixon, he stole an army Bell UH-1 Iroquois helicopter from Fort Meade outside Washington DC.
The rogue pilot penetrated one of the most restricted air spaces in the world. Crews from pursuit helicopters deployed by Washington police to bring him down later praised Preston's flying skills.
But it all ended when Preston landed on the southern lawn of the White House where his stolen helicopter was met by hundreds of bullets fired by US Secret Service agents.
Preston was quickly arrested and treated for minor gunshot wounds. It later emerged Nixon had not been at the White House.
On February 17, 1788, Lord Howe Island, about 780km north-east of Sydney, was discovered by the British Royal Navy ship HMS Supply.
The vessel was sailing between Sydney Cove and the penal settlement of Norfolk Island when the uninhabited island was sighted.
The island was first settled in 1834 when three couples arrived from New Zealand.
US comedian Jimmy Fallon became presenter of The Tonight Show on February 17, 2014.
His first guests on the popular NBC television show were Hollywood actor Will Smith and the rock band U2.
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