Happy birthday to the United States Coast Guard. The Coast Guard is a multi-mission, maritime, military service and the smallest of the five Armed Services. It traces its founding to Aug. 4, 1790, when the first Congress authorized the construction of 10 vessels to enforce tariff and trade laws, prevent smuggling, and protect the collection of federal revenue. Responsibilities added over the years included humanitarian duties such as aiding mariners in distress. The service received its present name in 1915 when the Revenue Cutter Service merged with the U.S. Life-Saving Service to form a single maritime service dedicated to the safety of life at sea and enforcing the nation's maritime laws.

The Purple Heart (the U.S. Military’s oldest decoration), is given to those who are wounded or killed while fighting in the nation’s war. However, Purple Heart day does not simply commemorate the creation of the Purple Heart Medal. It is a day set aside to honor the wounded and fallen Veterans of the United States. Many citizens are not even aware that August 7 is recognized for this purpose, while others spend the day remembering friends and family that have fallen in the battle for freedom. At current estimates about 1.8 million Purple Hearts have been awarded since the First World War.