Academy Celebrates Coast Guard's 220 Years of Service

NEW LONDON, Conn. - The U.S. Coast Guard celebrates 220 years of service to America today.

From its genesis as the Revenue Marine, the Coast Guard has evolved to become the world’s premier multi-mission, maritime service, conducting operations around the globe to execute its 11 missions.

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“Coast Guardsmen are agile, adaptable and multi-missioned,” said Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Robert J. Papp, Jr. “Born as revenue cuttermen, lighthouse keepers, steamboat inspectors and surfmen, we have expanded to meet the maritime needs of our nation. As Coast Guard men and women, we share a bond of pride in our rich heritage and a common purpose to uphold our honorable traditions.”

"This year marks the 220th birthday of the U.S. Coast Guard. As well, for the past 100 years, the Academy here in New London has played a vital role in educating, training, developing, and inspiring leaders of character to serve as effective Coast Guardsmen and selfless public stewards," said Rear Adm. J. Scott Burhoe, superintendent of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. "As we commemorate our 220th birthday, we reflect on our heritage and look forward to serving the people of New London for the next 100 years."

The Coast Guard began its service to America in 1790 within the Treasury Department as the Revenue Marine, later renamed the Revenue Cutter Service. The Revenue Cutter Service joined with the U.S. Lifesaving Service in 1915 to create the Coast Guard. The U.S. Lighthouse Service was added to the U.S. Coast Guard in 1939, followed by the Steamboat Inspection Service in 1946. The Coast Guard transferred from the Treasury Department to the Department of Transportation in 1967 and to the Department of Homeland Security in 2003.

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