The Coast Guard birthday is August 4. On August 4, 1790, the first Congress authorized the construction of 10 vessels to enforce tariff and trade laws and prevent smuggling, and the U.S. Coast Guard traces its history to that day. The service got its current name in 1915. On August 4, 2026, the Coast Guard turned 236.
Why is the Coast Guard birthday on August 4?
The Coast Guard birthday is on August 4 because that is the date of the 1790 act that created the Revenue Marine, later called the Revenue Cutter Service. Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton had asked Congress for armed boats to collect customs duties, the main source of federal income at the time. The Coast Guard Historian’s Office states: “We trace our history to 4 August 1790, when the first Congress authorized the construction of ten vessels to enforce tariff and trade laws and to prevent smuggling.”
When did the Coast Guard get its name?
The Coast Guard got its name in 1915, when an act of Congress merged the Revenue Cutter Service with the U.S. Life-Saving Service. President Woodrow Wilson signed the act on January 28, 1915. The service later absorbed the U.S. Lighthouse Service in 1939 and the Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation in 1946.
| Birthday | August 4, 1790 |
|---|---|
| Current name | 1915 (Revenue Cutter Service + Life-Saving Service) |
| Department | Department of Homeland Security (since 2003); operates as part of the Navy when Congress or the President directs |
| Motto | Semper Paratus (“Always Ready”) |
| 2026 anniversary | 236th |
Is the Coast Guard part of the military?
Yes. The Coast Guard is a military service and a branch of the armed forces at all times, under federal law, 14 U.S.C. § 101. It is the only armed force outside the Department of Defense: it sits in the Department of Homeland Security in peacetime and can operate as a service in the Navy in wartime or when the President directs. That is why Coast Guard members are left out of most Department of Defense headcounts.
How can you honor a Coast Guard veteran on August 4?
You can honor a Coast Guard veteran on August 4 with a “Semper Paratus” message, a call or a gift for their service. Our Coast Guard veteran gifts include the Coast Guard Veteran Cap and the Coast Guard Veteran Mug. Muster USA orders ship within 1 to 3 business days and arrive in 5 to 12 business days, so order at least 3 weeks before the date. Delivery times are on our shipping policy page. For gifts that suit every branch, see our guide to gifts for veterans.
