Governor Stein Proclaims United States Coast Guard Birthday

United States Coast Guard Birthday 

2026

By The Governor Of The State Of North Carolina

A Proclamation

Whereas, the United States Coast Guard has a long and proud history of service to our nation, including in North Carolina from Base Elizabeth City and other points along our coast; and 

Whereas, the Coast Guard is dedicated to saving lives at sea and enforcing the nation’s maritime laws; and 

Whereas, the United States Coast Guard is one of the oldest organizations in the federal government, established on August 4, 1790, when Congress authorized the formation of 10 vessels to enforce federal tariff and trade laws to prevent smuggling; and 

Whereas, until the Department of the Navy was established in 1798, the Coast Guard served as the nation’s only armed force afloat; and 

Whereas, initially the Revenue Marine and Revenue Cutter Service, the name was changed in 1915 to the United States Coast Guard; and 

Whereas, the Coast Guard has approximately 43,000 active-duty members, more than 8,000 Reservists and 30,000 Auxiliary personnel who ensure our nation’s maritime safety and have served proudly in every one of our nation's conflicts; and 

Whereas, since 2003, the Coast Guard has operated as part of the Department of Homeland Security, serving as the front-line agency for enforcing the United States’ laws at sea, saving lives, protecting the marine environment, and guarding the nation’s vast coastline and ports;

Now, Therefore, I, Josh Stein, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim August 4, 2026, as “United States Coast Guard Birthday” in North Carolina and commend its observance to all residents.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this twenty-sixth day of July in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-sixth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fifty-first.