On August 4, 1790, Congress authorized the creation of the Revenue Cutter Service, which later evolved into the United States Coast Guard. The service’s original mission was to enforce customs laws and prevent smuggling along American coasts. Over time, it took on additional responsibilities such as search and rescue, environmental protection, and maritime safety. In 1915, the Revenue Cutter Service merged with the Life-Saving Service to form the modern Coast Guard. The organization now operates under the Department of Homeland Security in peacetime and can be transferred to the Navy during war. Its founding marked the start of a continuous federal maritime security presence.
