The U.S. Coast Guard was officially born on August 4, 1790, when Congress authorized the construction of ten revenue cutters to enforce tariff laws and prevent smuggling. Originally called the Revenue Marine (later the Revenue Cutter Service), it was the only armed maritime service of the U.S. until the Navy was reestablished in 1798.

Founded under the direction of Alexander Hamilton, the Coast Guard merged with the U.S. Life-Saving Service in 1915, officially becoming the United States Coast Guard. It is the nation’s oldest continuous seagoing service, performing missions in maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, environmental protection, and national defense.