How old is the Coast Guard in 2026?
The U.S. Coast Guard turns 236 years old on August 4, 2026. It traces its founding to the Revenue Cutter Service, authorized August 4, 1790.
Coast Guard Birthday 2026: 236 Years on August 4
The U.S. Coast Guard celebrates its 236th birthday on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. On August 4, 1790, President George Washington signed the Tariff Act, authorizing ten cutters proposed by Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton — the Revenue Cutter Service that became today’s Coast Guard.
Coast Guard Birthday 2026: 236 Years on August 4: what to know
- Coast Guard Birthday 2026 is Tuesday, August 4, 2026.
- 2026 date: Tuesday, August 4.
- Birthday: 236th.
- Founded: August 4, 1790 (Revenue Cutter Service).
- Founder: Alexander Hamilton.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Coast Guard under Homeland Security instead of Defense?
The Coast Guard is a military service with law-enforcement and maritime-safety missions. In peacetime it operates under the Department of Homeland Security; in wartime, or when directed, it can operate under the Department of the Navy. This dual character has defined the service throughout its history.
Is the Coast Guard Birthday a federal holiday?
No. August 4, 2026 is a Tuesday and a normal business day. The birthday is a military observance celebrated within the service and by coastal communities.
What was the Revenue Cutter Service?
Established in 1790 at Alexander Hamilton’s urging, the Revenue Cutter Service enforced customs laws with a small fleet of armed cutters. It merged with the Life-Saving Service in 1915 to form the modern U.S. Coast Guard.