United States Coast Guard

Table of Contents

Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

Images

Flag of the United States Coast Guard

World War II: Iwo Jima

U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker

EgyptAir flight 990 recovery

United States Coast Guard

New Shoreham: Coast Guard station

International Ice Patrol

Deepwater Horizon oil spill: skimming

Executive Order 9981

Executive Order 9981

Read Next

The United States Supreme Court building, Washington, D.C.

14 Questions About Government in the United States Answered

Bar graph of the United States Death Toll during major events. Infogram chart.

U.S. Death Toll During Major Events

The Battle of New Orleans, by E. Percy Moran, c. 1910. Andrew Jackson, War of 1812.

26 Decade-Defining Events in U.S. History

Groups of depositors in front of the closed American Union Bank, New York City. April 26, 1932. Great Depression run on bank crowd

Causes of the Great Depression

President's bingo. Guess and select to correct president based on images.

Britannica’s U.S. Presidents Bingo

Discover

World Data Locator Map: Australia

Is Australia an Island?

green digital binary symbols

What Comes After Terabyte?

Nelson Mandela, undated photo.

15 Nelson Mandela Quotes

"Landing of Columbus" by John Vanderlyn, oil on canvas; commissioned 1836/1837, placed 1847. In the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. 12' x 18' ft. (3.66 m. x 5.49 m.) Christopher Columbus and members of his crew are shown on a beach

5 Unbelievable Facts About Christopher Columbus

Queen Elizabeth II addresses at opening of Parliament. (Date unknown on photo, but may be 1958, the first time the opening of Parliament was filmed.)

All 119 References in “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” Explained

Chinese pictograph, calligraphy tablet of Huang Tingjian, a famous calligrapher in Ancient Song Dynasty. The background of Chinese cultural elements.

The World’s 5 Most Commonly Used Writing Systems

Close up of praying mantis walking on stone ground against a blurred background in Japan

6 Animals That Eat Their Mates

United States Coast Guard: Facts & Related Content

Written and fact-checked by The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

News •

Florida boat collision leaves 1 dead and at least 10 people injured • Apr. 28, 2025, 5:48 PM ET (AP)

Wife of US Coast Guard member arrested over expired visa after security check for military housing • Apr. 26, 2025, 6:15 PM ET (AP)

Search suspended for 5 missing from capsized boat involved in 'failed suspected smuggling venture' • Apr. 14, 2025, 2:55 PM ET (AP)

Facts

Also Known As	Revenue Cutter Service • Revenue Marine Service • USCG
Date	1790 - present
Areas Of Involvement	maritime law • lifesaving • defense
Related People	Dorothy Constance Stratton

Photos

Flag of the United States Coast Guard

World War II: Iwo Jima

U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker

EgyptAir flight 990 recovery

United States Coast Guard

New Shoreham: Coast Guard station

International Ice Patrol

Deepwater Horizon oil spill: skimming

Executive Order 9981

Executive Order 9981

See All Images →

Topics

United States Coast Guard Academy

Quiz

Artist's concept of the Phoenix spacecraft on Mars. The Phoenix Mars Lander, which launched in August 2007, is the first project in NASA's Mars Scout missions. The mission's plan is to land in icy soils near the north polar permanent ice cap of Mars...

This Day in History Quiz: August 4