On This Date August 4,1790- the US Coast Guard is born

August 4, 1790 – the United States Coast Guard is born. The United States Revenue Cutter
Service is established to serve as an armed customs enforcement service (becoming the US
Coast Guard in 1915) The Coast Guard is one of America’s five armed forces and traces its
founding to this date, Congress authorized the construction of 10 vessels to enforce tariff
and trade laws, prevent smuggling, and protect the collection of federal revenue.