The courageous service of the U.S. Coast Guard is celebrated on National Coast Guard Day, August 4th.

On that date in 1790, Congress, led by Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, authorized building a fleet of 10 cutters to enforce the nation's first tariff laws. Christened the Revenue Cutter Service, its name was changed to the Coast Guard in 1915 when it merged with the Lifesaving Service. Later, the Lighthouse Service and the Bureau of Navigation and Steamboat Inspection joined the merger. Finally, in 1967, after 177 years in the Treasury Department, the Coast Guard was transferred to the newly formed Department of Transportation.

While the Coast Guard is one of the six branches of the U.S. military, it is a multi-missioned service. During peacetime, it operates under the Department of Homeland Security. But, its responsibilities can be transferred to the U.S. Navy by the President at any time deemed necessary or by Congress during war times.

The Coast Guard has had an historic presence in Hampton Roads. In 1820, it anchored its first lightship off Craney Island in Churchland. In 1870, the Lighthouse Service Boat Depot and Buoy Yard were established next to the Naval Shipyard, and in 1874, the Sixth Life Saving District was established in Portsmouth. Its Fifth District Headquarters in Portsmouth now oversees all Coast Guard activities from South Carolina to New Jersey. This 200-year history led to the Coast Guard selecting Portsmouth as its official "Coast Guard City" in 2009.